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Are you living in the Southend and looking to get a COVID-19 test? Until recently, that was a tall order.

In June, King County and the City of Seattle launched several citywide testing sites, which, according to the Mayor’s office, has administered more than 80,000 tests since June — but few of these sites were on the Southend. Luckily, as of July 31, Mayor Durkan announced more walk-up testing sites are coming to Rainier Beach and southwest Seattle neighborhoods, making testing more widely available to those who live and work in the area. Additionally, several community health clinics and additional testing centers in the Southend are offering testing.

Keep in mind that most testing facilities defer to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) specific guidelines, when deciding who to test. These guidelines include testing only those patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 like shortness of breath, fever, changes in smell, diarrhea, and/or fatigue, as well as those who suspect they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. As well, the CDC requires those who live in nursing homes, longterm care facilities, and essential workers be tested frequently. 

The final cost of receiving a test is highly dependent on whether you are insured or have Medicaid or Medicare. As this document from the Washington State Department of Health explains, if you are enrolled in a state-regulated health plan, the office visit and the test (including lab fees) for COVID-19 will be free. If you aren’t, things are a little trickier, so state experts recommend the patient see if their income qualifies them for free coverage, or if you qualify to purchase individual health insurance under specific circumstances, which can help significantly reduce costs. (As a rule of thumb, bring a photo ID and proof of insurance with you to the test if you do have either of them.)

Additionally, the turnaround time for the test results is largely dependent on how urgent your symptoms are. For instance, if you are really feeling ill and walk into an emergency room for testing, they may get you the results of that test within two hours — but at a much higher cost than someone who goes to one of the city’s free testing sites. That said, the city’s free testing sites may take several days to get the results back to you. 

Local healthcare professionals say the best, most affordable option is to get a test at the one of the free sites (there should not be a difference in the quality of the test at hospitals/clinics versus free sites), and then manage your symptoms and self-quarantine at home until you know the results. 

With that in mind, here’s a guide to testing in the Southend, which should provide you with the location of free or reduced-cost testing sites nearest to you, as well as additional information about what you need to get tested.

Central District

Atlas Genomics Laboratory

Address: 1527 13th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Phone: (425) 598-8378

Details: This testing facility is a drive-in, allowing patients—regardless of if they have symptoms—to roll up, get swabbed and be on their way, no doctor’s appointment or insurance required. You are asked to pay for your test ($99) and schedule it online before you drive through. For more details, visit here.

Georgetown

UW Laboratory Medicine—SoDo Testing Site

Address: 3820 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108

Phone: (206) 684-2489

Details: At this City-sponsored free testing site, they provide COVID-19, regardless of insurance status or doctor’s referral. They ask you make an appointment beforehand, and that you bring a valid photo ID, and proof of insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid if you do have it. Learn more, and book online here.

Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill

City of Seattle Rainier Beach Testing Site

Address: 3820 Rainier Ave S suite I Seattle, WA 98118

Phone: (206) 684-2489

Details: The city has set up a free drive up and walk up testing site at Rainier Beach High School. Appointments are not required and registration is done on-site, as well, they do not require patients to show proof of citizenship or immigration status. Language interpretation is available.

Multicare Indigo Urgent Care – Rainier Avenue

Address: 3820 Rainier Ave S suite l, Seattle, WA 98118

Phone: (206) 731-7500

Details: Though Multicare Indigo Urgent Care has longer hours than other clinics (they’re open until 8 p.m.), they’re not the best option for the uninsured. If you do not have insurance, the cost will be $175 for the provider visit plus you will be billed by the lab for the test. Even if you are prescribed a video visit, it is $99. Additionally, they encourage you to make an appointment beforehand and tests are limited to certain patients that they deem within CDC guidelines for testing. More information, here.

Neighborcare Health Clinic 

Address: 9245 Rainier Ave S 2nd floor

Phone: (206) 722-8444

Details: For those in the Rainier Valley area, Neighborcare Health clinic is a mainstay for south-end COVID-19 testing and care. At their Rainier Beach location, they have an outdoor testing tent where they offer free testing with or without insurance for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. They do ask you to make an appointment beforehand.

Delridge/South Park

UW Mobile Clinic at South Seattle College

Address: 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106

Phone: (206) 744-0400

Details: Another of the city-sponsored free testing sites, you can walk in, no appointment or referral necessary, to receive a COVID-19 test. Language interpretation is available. Bring a valid photo ID, and proof of insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid if you have it.

White Center/Burien

Franciscan Prompt Care

Address: 16045 1st Avenue South

Phone: 206-965-4180

Details: This walk-in clinic offers COVID-19 testing, if deemed necessary after you receive an evaluation by one of their doctors. There are costs involved, but Franciscan offers some patients a 55% discount for COVID-19 care. For more information, visit here.

Sea Mar Community Health Centers at White Center

Address: 9650 15th Ave SW #100, Seattle, WA 98106

Phone: (206) 965-1000

Details: Another city-sponsored free testing site, Sea Mar offers drive up and walk up testing at this White Center location, but they do ask you schedule an appointment beforehand. To schedule an appointment, you must first be screened by a Sea Mar provider over the phone. There is also Spanish language interpretation available at no cost to the patient, and they as you bring a valid photo ID, and proof of insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid if you have it. For more information, visit here.

Rite Aid

Address: 110 SW 148th Street Burien, WA

Phone: (206) 835-0166

Details: As part of the Baseline COVID-19 Program, developed in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) testing program with input from the federal program, Rite Aid offers free COVID-19 testing for adults aged 18 or above at certain community locations throughout the United States. According to the program’s website, testing at any Rite Aid site will not result in charges regardless of your insurance status. You will need to complete an online pre-screening and schedule an appointment. Visit this location’s website, here.

Renton/Tukwila

Multicare Indigo Urgent Care - Tukwila

Address: 17275 Southcenter Pkwy, Suite 160, Tukwila, WA 98188

Phone: (206) 430-7555

Details: See info for Multicare Indigo Urgent Care Rainier Beach. For more information on this specific location, visit here.

HealthPoint - Renton Drive-Thru

Address: 805 SW 10th St, Renton, WA 98057

Phone: (206) 477-3977

Details: Starting September 8, free drive-through testing will be available, with language interpretation, to all patients regardless of immigration status or doctor’s referral. Make reservations online.

Rite Aid

Address: 3116 NE Sunset Boulevard Renton, WA

Phone: (425) 793-0787

Details: See information under the Rite Aid Burien location, above. Visit the website for this location, here.