Northwest Laboratory in Bellingham now able to test for coronavirus, should speed tests
Whatcom County residents who are tested for COVID-19 will soon only have to wait 24 to 48 hours to hear their results, after a Bellingham laboratory was validated to begin running tests for the new coronavirus.
Northwest Laboratory announced in a Facebook post Saturday morning that it has successfully completed its validation on SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR testing.
After running validation samples on Friday night, March 27, the lab is now one of only three facilities in the state that has been validated, joining the Department of Health Public Health Lab in Shoreline and the University of Washington.
“I think what it means for people up here is, one, there will be quicker turnaround than people have been experiencing, and two, the availability of test kits will increase,” Northwest Laboratory Chief Operating Officer Jenny Bull told The Bellingham Herald.
Bull said some healthcare providers have been limited to 10 to 12 test kits and therefore have had to triage which patients to test. But with Northwest Laboratory now validated to run tests, more testing kits should soon be available in the area.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/northwest-laboratory-in-bellingham-now-able-to-test-for-coronavirus-should-speed-tests/ar-BB11VQNc
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