OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington State has ordered 5.5 million at-home COVID-19 tests to distribute to the public.
Governor Jay Inslee announced at a news conference on Wednesday, January 5th, that the state has already received nearly 800,000 tests and 4.7 million are expected to arrive shortly.
The tests will be sent to schools and local health departments which will distribute them to vulnerable communities.
He says the state will also supply schools and local clinics with 10 million masks, all with the aim of keeping schools and the economy open…
“We will weather the storm because we have the tools available to us to protect ourselves and increase our protection,” said Inslee. “Booster shots, masks, common sense, helping schools reduce the threat of this pandemic.”
The state is also working with Amazon and a test manufacturer to create an online portal for residents to order in-home tests directly at no cost.
That will be available in the next few weeks.
Inslee also announced expanded vaccination sites including one in Northwest Washington that is expected to open by January 18th.