Thurston County is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases. Here’s where to get free tests

Joanna Hou
·2 min read
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Thurston County has seen COVID-19 case rates double from what they were in early July, consistent with a nationwide resurgence in the coronavirus.

The seven-day case rate for the week ending on July 31 — the most recent data available — was 46.4 cases per 100,000 population. Just the week before, that number was at 27.8, according to Washington’s Department of Health. Moderate case rates are defined as anything in between 10 and 49.9 per 100,000.

The state’s DOH still considers the county’s hospitalization rate low.

Renae Miller, public information specialist for Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, noted the LOTT Clean Water Alliance is seeing an increase in wastewater concentrations of COVID-19.

“We’re continuing to monitor the trends and transmission rates, and encouraging people to stay home and test if they have symptoms,” she said.

Those who are concerned about COVID-19 should reference the public health department’s website for trends and cases, and also access the vaccine locator and testing resources. The state DOH also posts case and hospitalization rates on its website.

Otherwise, people are encouraged to follow standard prevention for COVID-19 by washing hands, wearing a mask and getting the latest booster shot, Miller said.

Thurston County Public Health’s COVID-19 response team has stocked the Lacey, Olympia, west Olympia and Tumwater Timberland libraries with rapid testing kits while supplies last. The public can pick up these tests between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The tests are all expired, Miller said. Under March 2022 guidance from the state DOH, these tests may be used as long as they pass quality control. Miller said instructions for determining test use should be included with the tests at distribution.

“The test is approved as long as the test is passing the quality control. If that is working, the test should be accurate,” Miller said. “If you’re ever concerned about that, we suggest retesting on a different test.”

The county has been ordering as many tests as it can from the state while DOH stock lasts, and hopes to expand locations where tests are provided, Miller said.