County reopens fairground testing site

Here we go again. Skagit Public Health reopened its test site at the county fairgrounds on Monday. The hours are 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free antigen tests, with results in 15 minutes, and free vaccinations are offered. Julie de Losada, emergency preparedness and response manager for Skagit County Public Health, said the ratio was 20 to 1 of people getting tests to vaccinations. One line of cars inched along to the staff inside the F barn at the fairgrounds at 6 p.m..

The wait was probably over an hour to be seen for either a test or vaccination at 630 p.m., a volunteer estimated, though it seemed a slower process than that. Over 30 cars stretched back to the entrance ticket booth. Some 75 cars were in nine ferry lanes ahead of them.

de Losada suggested coming later in the evening, that cars were lining up 30 minutes before the start time, though Monday seemed like it was going to be a very late night for everyone there. de Losada called it a “reboot. We closed (the fairgrounds site) in January and went to mobile clinics. We knew we would come back her if we had to." March 12 was the last day tests were given at the fairgrounds.

Staff plan to manage the site “indefinitely, until the need isn’t there,” de Losada said.

The line of cars stretched longer down the drive at 7 p.m. than at 6 p.m. Monday.

No insurance or appointment required. Antigen testing for anyone over five years old. Anyone over 12 years old can be vaccinated. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered, based on supply. certain immunocompromised individuals can get third doses, based on doctor approval.

Drive to the South Gate Entrance, 501 Taylor Street, Mount Vernon 98273.

Testing locations in the county include:skagitcounty.net/Departments/HealthDiseases/coronavirusTESTsites.htm. La Conner Drug is not on the list.