Updated COVID-19 Testing Criteria

COVID Testing Overview

NEW Health is providing access to COVID testing, however increased demand for testing has made it necessary to offer testing to individuals with symptoms or exposure.

We offer COVID testing at the following locations: Chewelah, Colville, Lake Spokane, Loon Lake, Northport, Selkirk and Springdale. As testing volumes increase, you may need to wait depending on the day and location. We use medically appropriate testing criteria guidelines from the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health. Tests sent to our local Laboratory take approximately 1-3 days to receive results. Rapid COVID testing is reserved for high needs patients as determined through provider evaluation.

General COVID Testing Criteria:

COVID laboratory testing takes approximately 1-3 days and is used for patients with the following criteria:

• People with COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, body aches, new loss of smell or taste, headache, fatigue.
• No COVID symptoms but qualifies for testing due to exposure or is a nursing home employee.
• Those exposed, but without symptoms may be tested 5-7 days after exposure, but not earlier. It is important to quarantine for 14 days after exposure regardless of the test result, as COVID may take up to 14 days from exposure to cause infection and/or symptoms.

Rapid COVID Testing Criteria:

Rapid tests are reserved for high-need patients, as deemed appropriate by a provider. People who think they need a rapid test must schedule an appointment with a NEW Health provider. During the appointment, the provider will order the test that is most medically appropriate for the patient.