FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Testing Site at Cascade Mall to Close Permanently at the End of December 2022

After providing over 2 years of no-cost COVID-19 testing to the community, effective at the end of December 2022, Skagit County Public Health?s COVID-19 testing site at the Cascade Mall will be closing permanently. Until then, testing services will be available the following days and times.

Mondays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
*Closed December 26th for the holiday

?Though COVID transmission is currently high, we are a long way from where we were in 2020. Increased access to no or low-cost home testing supplies has reduced the need for emergency response operations?, says Julie de Losada, Skagit County Public Health Emergency Response and Preparedness Manager.

In the face of dwindling demand for COVID-19 tests, the closing of the testing site will allow Public Health to shift its efforts to a more targeted approach. These strategies may include focused outreach and education to effectively reach homebound seniors, non-English speaking communities, and more rural areas like East County.

Until the end of December 2022, COVID-19 rapid antigen testing and Flu A & B testing will continue to be conducted via drive-through. Testing services are provided at no-cost and are available to those 5 years of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Skagit County. No appointment, ID, or insurance is needed. For more information about the Cascade Mall testing site, please call Skagit County Public Health at (360) 416-1500.

Several options for COVID-19 testing are still available to community members after the testing site closes. An updated list of local testing providers can be found at the Washington State Department of Health?s Testing Location website.

Free, rapid, at-home test kits shipped directly to you are also still available via the state?s Say Yes COVID Test website at https://www.sayyescovidhometest.org/. Two orders can be made per household, per month, and each order comes with 5 rapid tests. All orders and shipping are free.

If you have health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, your insurer is required to cover the cost of eight at-home tests for each person enrolled in your health insurance plan each month. Additionally, some insurance plans will cover the cost of tests at pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS. Please contact your health insurance provider for information regarding the specifics of coverage for at-home COVID-19 tests, as coverage varies by provider.

We encourage community members to maintain a supply of at-home test kits, especially as we move into cold/flu and the holiday season. Testing, along with vaccination, wearing a well-fitted mask, and covering coughs and sneezes help protect you and others. To schedule a no-cost, no insurance required COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit www.skagitcounty.net/COVIDvaccine or call Skagit County Public Health at (360) 416-1500 for assistance.

For more information about testing for COVID-19, visit https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/testing-covid-19.

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