Free COVID-19 testing coming to Aurora Ave

The City is rolling out free COVID-19 testing citywide, including a new site at the former emissions testing site at 12040 Aurora Ave N in North Seattle.

The City is leasing two former emissions sites for testing; the other COVID-19 site is in South Seattle at 3820 6th Ave South. Mayor Jenny Durkan says that through a partnership with UW Medicine, more than 1,600 tests will be available per day.

The drive-thru testing sites will be open from 10am to 3pm Monday through Saturday. If you want to get tested, you need to book ahead through the City’s website. Walk-up testing is not permitted at the new sites; visit Public Health of Seattle and King County’s website for other testing sites that can accommodate walk-ins.

Anyone who has been in contact with people who are ill with COVID-19 or who are exhibiting symptoms are encouraged to get tested.

“COVID-19 can appear similar to the common cold or seasonal flu, and  we are urging anyone with any of the following symptoms to seek testing: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea,” the City’s news release says. “Furthermore, if you have been in close contact with someone for 15 minutes or longer who has COVID-19 you should also be tested.”

Testing is completely free, regardless of health insurance status, and the tests take about 10 minutes or less to complete. Results can be accessed online, and those who test positive will be contacted and given more information.

The first day of testing at the Aurora site will be Monday, June 8—the South Seattle site opens today, June 5.