A new free COVID-19 test site will open at Bellevue College on Tuesday, December 15. This site will expand COVID-19 testing on the Eastside and complement existing free test sites already in Renton, Auburn, Tukwila, Federal Way, Des Moines, and Enumclaw.
Starting next week, there will be a new option for convenient, free COVID-19 testing on the Eastside. A new site at Bellevue College will open on Tuesday, expanding efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in east King County and along the I-90 corridor. This will be the first free, high-capacity COVID-19 test site on the Eastside. This site will be free and open to anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
If you have COVID-like symptoms or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, Public Health – Seattle & King County urges you to avoid contact with others and get tested immediately. Stay home and away from others while you are waiting for test results.
The new test site is located at Bellevue College, 2645 145th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98007. The entrance is on 148th Ave SE. Drive-thru and limited walk-up testing is available. The test site is available via the 221, 226, 245, and 271 bus lines.
The test site will be open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., beginning Tuesday, December 15. People are strongly encouraged, but not required, to register for a testing appointment. Visit here to see information on all free test sites, including Bellevue College.
The test site will be operated by International Community Health Services (ICHS) and hosted by Bellevue College, with support from King County and the City of Bellevue.
Increasing resources to diverse language communities
The Eastside is home to many different language communities — 13.3% of households in Bellevue are limited English speaking, compared to 6% of households overall in King County from 2014-2018 (for more information, visit the COVID-19 Vulnerable Communities Data Tool). ICHS regularly provides free on-site and remote interpretation in over 50 languages and dialects at their clinics, making them well-positioned to operate this testing site.
Support for isolation and quarantine
Anyone who tests positive should isolate immediately. For those without a safe place to do so, King County isolation and quarantine sites are available to help people through a difficult situation and reduce transmission risk. This is especially important for those living with a family member who is elderly or medically fragile or people experiencing homelessness. Call the King County COVID-19 Call Center (206) 477-3977 to see if isolation and quarantine services are right for you.
If you need help with registration, call the King County COVID-19 Call Center (open seven days a week, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.) at (206) 477-3977.
