Public Health urges early testing of anyone with COVID-19 symptoms

Published Date

Clark County Public Health is urging anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their health care provider about testing as soon as possible. Early testing is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Clark County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded the list of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. People with these symptoms or combination of symptoms may have COVID-19 and should call their health care provider to request testing:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

Public Health issued updated guidance to health care providers, urging them to test all patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

“It’s important that people get tested as soon as they begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “Early testing and identification of cases enables Public Health to isolate those who are sick and quarantine their close contacts. Doing this as early as possible will help us to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

Most health care facilities now offer COVID-19 testing. People who are unable to access testing through their regular health care provider, or those who do not have a health care provider, can contact the following facilities to request testing:

  • Legacy GoHealth. Hazel Dell, 360.787.4151. Cascade Park, 360.787.4135.
  • Providence Family Medicine, Battle Ground. 360.687.6650.
  • Rose Urgent Care and Family Practice, Vancouver. 360.952.4457.
  • The Vancouver Clinic. Various locations. Call 360.882.2778 to schedule an appointment.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should call their health care provider or one of the above facilities in advance so the facility can take steps to prevent exposing others.

Testing should come at no cost to the patient, whether they have insurance or not. The state insurance commissioner is requiring insurers to waive co-pays and deductibles for COVID-19 testing.

For additional information about COVID-19 and cases in Clark County, visit the Public Health novel coronavirus webpage.


CONTACT
Marissa Armstrong
communications specialist
Public Health
marissa.armstrong@clark.wa.gov