Lakewood COVID-19 Testing Site To Close Permanently Thursday

LAKEWOOD, WA — Starting Thursday, Pierce County's COVID-19 testing site in Lakewood will be no more. According to an update from the county, the recent spike in demand for COVID testing is causing safety concerns at the testing site, which was not built to handle a high volume of visitors. As a result, the county has made the decision to shutter the site permanently.

The site, located at 3003 107th St S, had previously been forced to close early several times over recent weeks due to overwhelming demand.

The holidays, climbing case counts and the more-transmissible omicron coronavirus strain have had Washingtonians flocking to testing sites across the state. To keep up, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department recently established a second testing site at the Washington State Fairgrounds Gold Lot. Like the Lakewood location, it does not require an appointment in advance. The Gold Lot site will remain up and running for Pierce County residents who need a test on short notice, but the county says it is also looking for other locations to replace the Lakewood site.

Until then, residents are asked to remain patient, or consider alternative testing options.

Here are a few other places you can find a COVID-19 test in Pierce County:

• At your local library. The Pierce County Library system offers free take home COVID-19 tests during business hours. The tests are not rapid, but can be taken in the privacy of your own home and submitted for testing through UPS.
• Through the mail. The Greater Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network Study, or SCAN, will mail take home tests to select, qualifying residents. Tests should be delivered within a day, and results will arrive within 48 hours. Learn more about SCAN here.
• At the local mall. The Tacoma Mall and South Hill Mall both have walk-up testing available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• At local pharmacies. Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Kirk's Pharmacy all offer tests with appointment.

>> Find more testing options from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.