Seeking to reduce wait times, Providence diverts some COVID-19 testing to its clinics

With waiting times as long as three to four hours lately at the drive-through testing it operates at its Hawks Prairie clinic parking lot, Providence will direct some of its patients to get tested at its clinics, starting as soon as next Monday.

“Pre-operative and procedural patients will now be scheduled at one of the three Providence Medical Group clinics in West Olympia, Lacey or Hawks Prairie or in Lewis County at Providence Medical Group - Centralia General Surgery,” according to a press release issued today.

“We test 60 to 80 pre-procedural patients a day,” according to Angela Maki, Director of Communications for Providence. “We hope to open up this capacity” to reduce waiting times at the drive-through testing facility, she added.

The drive-through testing site, which operates weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, is a partnership between Providence and Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department.  It is open to anyone who is experiencing symptoms or fears exposure to the virus, and there is no charge to be tested there.  “The tests are processed by LabCorp and it takes an average of 2 days for a patient to receive results,” according to Providence’s announcement.

Throughout the county there are various options to get tested, including visits from mobile service providers and private clinics. Fees and insurance coverage for testing varies depending on which provider is selected. The county has published an extensive list of testing services.