University of Washington Medicine Starts Employee Drive-Thru Testing

The University of Washington School of Medicine began an employee drive-through testing facility in Seattle last Friday, March 6. The testing is available to UW Medicine employees, staff and trainees who have symptoms or an upper respiratory infection - fever, a new cough and shortness of breath. Dr Seth Cohen said the tents were set up in an open-air parking garage. The employee stays in the car and a nurse in protective gear (see photo above) administers the test. Results are determined within 48 hours. As of Sunday, 94 staff have been tested for flu and COVID-19. No one tested positive for COVID-19. Another employee drive-through testing facility was set up at UW Medicine's Harborview Medical Center. Seattle has been especially hard-hit by the COVID-19 virus spread.