Free COVID-19 testing sites in Federal Way, Renton see large turnout
Published 1:30 am Thursday, June 25, 2020
Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites in Renton and Federal Way, provided in part by Beyoncé’s BeyGood initiative, got more than 1,200 tested for coronavirus.
That’s the largest number of COVID-19 tests of any mobile site in Washington state.
The sites in South King County demonstrated the high demand for testing in underserved areas, according to a release from King County, and will inform more equitable planning for future testing locations.
King County and local community organizations partnered with Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson’s #IDIDMYPART campaign and Beyoncé’s BeyGood initiative to make the free sites happen, and led to long lines around the block for both locations.
The over 200 volunteers at the events also delivered face masks to those tested, 3,500 essential cleaning supply kits, on site interpretation in over 25 languages.
At the Renton location, of the 577 tested, 80% were people of color and 15% were Black.
“I’m proud to have developed this partnership for King County and grateful to Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson and BeyGood for their commitment and partnership with us,” Hamdi Mohamed, King County Policy Advisor for the Executive Office of Equity and Social Justice, stated in a press release. “The results speak for themselves. We look forward to working with others to create future testing opportunities that are accessible to Black and brown communities throughout our Puget Sound region.”
More about free testing sites throughout King County can be found here.
