UPDATED 2/10/22

COVID-19 Testing Clinics in Cle Elum and Ellensburg Re-Opened

Kittitas County, WA – 02/10/2022 – Individuals looking for COVID-19 testing resources can use the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) website at www.doh.wa.gov. The website provides a directory of locations providing COVID-19 testing, links to order free at-home test kits, and contact information to report positive results from over-the-counter test kits.

Additionally, Kittitas Valley Healthcare has a restored supply chain for testing materials and has opened their COVID-19 testing clinics in Ellensburg and Cle Elum.  Testing is available during the weekdays only for both the Ellensburg and Cle Elum locations.

www.covidtests.gov provides up to 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests, which is different than the free tests available via DOH.  Individuals with private insurance may be reimbursed for COVID-19 test kits that were purchased and to learn amore about how to get reimbursed for tests through your insurance, visit https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free.

The Ellensburg and Cle Elum KVH testing locations are for individuals who have been exposed and have symptoms.  If you require testing for proof to travel or attend events, please call KVH Workplace Health at 509-933-8830 to make an appointment.

If you are positive for COVID-19, please isolate at home.  If you purchased an over-the-counter test kit and received a positive result, please call the state COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127. Please refer to DOH for guidelines around isolation and quarantine.

For more information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov or the DOH website.  According to the DOH dashboard, the epidemiological curves tab is the most accurate representation of COVID-19 activity and is updated daily as new cases are identified and duplicates are resolved.

UPDATED 1/28/22

Kittitas County COVID-19 Update – Additional Resources Available

Kittitas County, WA – 01/28/2022 – With continuing changes in response to COVID-19, the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) would like to remind individuals of additional resources and resources around testing. KCPHD would also like to thank Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) for their tremendous response efforts and their continued care of patients during this time. The KVH testing site was open to the general public for 691 days and performed 44,445 tests through this service.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) maintains a list of testing locations viawww.doh.wa.gov. Numerous pharmacies and additional medical facilities are available for testing. Free test kits are available via www.covidtests.gov.  Insurance coverage also provides coverage for testing and more information is available at How to get your At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Test for Free | CMS.

If you are unable to access a test and you have symptoms of COVID-19, please follow guidance, and stay home. The latest guidance is available via DOH athttps://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/TestingforCOVID19/TestingLocations.

KVH was unexpectedly notified late on January 25th that their testing supply was gone.  KVH is being allocated 100 tests per week with an average demand of 600 tests per week.  KVH, therefore, needs to prioritize testing for patient care.

“Everyone at the Kittitas County Public Health Department is incredibly thankful for Kittitas Valley Healthcare’s response,” states Director Tristen Lamb.  “Our small county has had efficiency and access unlike others because KVH stepped in to help. KVH has not only provided 44,445 tests, but they led the vaccination efforts and coordinated hundreds of volunteers in addition to their primary duties of hospital care for patients during a pandemic.”

Additional COVID-19 resources include vaccine information, vaccine verification, and data via DOH.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on when to seek emergency care at Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC and a data tracker that provides county level community transmission information at CDC COVID Data Tracker.

With response changes, they still ask that individuals help by completing the following:

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Get tested if you believe you have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If you are unable to test, please stay home and follow COVID-19 guidelines.
  • Wear a proper face covering.
  • Be aware of who is most at risk of COVID-19.
  • Get a COVID-19 vaccination if you are 5 years of age and older.
  • Get a COVID-19 booster if you are 12 years of age and older.

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Kittitas Valley Healthcare closing Covid-19 testing clinics due to extreme supply shortage

Ellensburg, WA, January 27, 2022 -Since March 7, 2020, Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) has provided free COVID testing to Kittitas County. To date, over 44,000 tests have been performed at this location. Unfortunately, due to sudden and extreme supply chain shortages, effective January 28, 2022 we will no longer be able to offer this service.
If you have been tested here previously, staff are calling with results as they come in. You may also check your KVH patient portal.
If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, please remain at home, you should presume that you have COVID-19 and you should self-isolate according to current Washington State Department of Health Guidelines.
Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms and when to seek emergency medical attention. https://www.cdc.gov/…/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
COVID-19 Exposure:
If you were exposed to someone who has had COVID-19, quarantine according to Washington State Department of Health Guidelines https://www.doh.wa.gov/…/1600/coronavirus/COVIDexposed.pdf. If you are seeking care during your quarantine, contact your clinic prior to your visit.
If you tested positive with a home test you do not need to be tested with a lab test at a test site to confirm the result. Presume that you have COVID-19 and self-isolate according to current Washington State Department of Health Guidelines.
If you are otherwise healthy with mild symptoms and cannot find testing availability, you should presume that you have COVID-19 and you should self-isolate according to current Washington State Department of Health Guidelines.
If you need medical treatment outside of clinic hours, urgent care centers can provide non-emergency care. The KVH Emergency Departments remains open to provide care for those with emergency medical needs. If you are facing a medical emergency, do not delay care. Call 911 or proceed immediately to the nearest emergency room.