Maintains a webpage with the Department of Health's COVID-19 educational materials available including information about testing, vaccinations and masking.

COVID Information offered by Washington State Department of Health

Programs that provide kits which allow prescreened individuals to collect a test sample at home to avoid an in-person visit to a COVID test site. Pre-screening is done using an online questionnaire that is reviewed by a health care provider. The individual then uses the enclosed nasal and/or throat swab, packs the sample(s) up and ships them to the designated laboratory for analysis. (Some kits may instead require a blood sample collected by finger pricking, or other approved methods of sampling.)  Results are generally available online within 24-48 hours. If the test shows positive results, the program may offer a telehealth consult to guide the individual through any next steps. The test is recommended for individuals age 18 and older who have been in close contact with someone who has become ill, or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 by living, working or gathering in close proximity to others. The test is also recommended for people who show symptoms of the virus (elevated temperature, flu-like symptoms, loss of taste or smell, worsening cough or sore throat, or shortness of breath). The tests are not intended to be a substitute for those seeking or needing professional diagnosis, treatment or medical advice, and may or may not be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kits

Public health laboratories that conduct diagnostic testing to determine whether an individual has the COVID-19 virus. Health care professionals authorize who should be tested based on a combination of the individual's symptoms (though someone with COVID may be asymptomatic), underlying medical conditions and risk of exposure to the virus.  Samples can be collected through a nose swab, throat swab or saliva sample. Once the sample is taken, it is put into a sterile container and sent to the lab where the sample is analyzed and copies are made of the virus' RNA. The machine attempts to match the person's RNA with the coronavirus RNA to determine a positive or negative result.

COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests

Programs that provide inoculations that help prevent individuals from contracting the COVID-19 virus, either to the general public or targeting critical workforce personnel and/or higher-risk priority groups. The clinics may be walk-in sites (pharmacies, churches, community centers, outdoor tents) or locations in areas with curbside or drive-through options. Most sites require physical distancing, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and enhanced sanitation efforts. Most of the vaccines are administered as two shots given with a needle, usually in the arm and separated by a period of weeks. The official document for verifying receipt of a COVID-19 immunization in the U.S. is a small, white vaccination record card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is given to recipients after their first or single shot. The vaccination card serves as a personal immunization record which identifies the vaccine they received, its lot number, the date and the vaccination site as well as a reminder, if applicable, of when their next dose is due. The card is updated with details about a second shot after that is provided.

COVID-19 Immunization Clinics

Programs that provide information about governmental positions, actions or decisions or about issues or events which have current political or social relevance that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel.

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COVID Information offered by Washington State Department of Health