COVID-19 Testing at Seattle Indian Health Board

COVID-19 testing at Seattle Indian Health Board is by appointment only. Please do not go inside the building when arriving for a COVID-19 test appointment—follow the signs leading to our outdoor testing area, toward S Weller St. When you arrive, call 206-324-9360 and wait there for assistance.  

To schedule a test, call 206-324-9360. If you’re unable to reach us, please leave a message with your full name, date of birth, and whether you’re currently experiencing symptoms or not. 

We administer PCR tests, and results are generally available within 1–2 hours.  

You can see your results either by scanning the QR code printed on your after-visit summary or by logging into your patient account on MyChart. We will only call with your results if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19.

Frequently Asked Questions 

I just tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?  

Stay home and away from others. The CDC’s current recommendation is to isolate for at least 5 full days.  

You can end isolation after 5 days if you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and any symptoms have improved. However, it is important that you wear a well-fitting mask any time you’re around another person for an additional 5 days.  

If you still have a fever or other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end isolation until you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved. Be sure to wear a well-fitting mask any time you’re around another person for an additional 5 days. 

What if I’m positive for COVID-19 but unable to fully isolate myself? 

Many housing situations make it difficult or impossible to fully isolate from others. The CDC has some recommendations for reducing your risk of spreading the virus in those situations: 

  • Wear a well-fitting mask as much as possible—only remove when necessary for eating, drinking, etc. 
  • If you can, stay in a single room, apart from people you live with. 
  • If there’s more than one bathroom, designate one for use by COVID-19 positive individuals only. Those individuals should not use any other bathrooms. 
  • Open windows to improve ventilation. 

I tested negative for COVID-19, but I’m currently experiencing COVID-like symptoms. What should I do? 

If you’ve tested negative for COVID-19 on an at-home test but are experiencing new onset COVID-like symptoms, we recommend scheduling a PCR test to confirm that initial negative. 

If you’ve tested negative for COVID-19 on a PCR test but are experiencing new onset COVID-like symptoms, we recommend still isolating and reaching out to your doctor to discuss your symptoms, follow-up testing, and how long you should isolate. 

Someone I live with just tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do? 

If you’re up to date—primary series and booster—with your COVID-19 vaccines, you should get tested 5 days after your first exposure to the COVID-19-positive individual. A person is considered infectious 2 days before they develop symptoms or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they don’t have symptoms. You should get tested again five days after the person with COVID-19 ends their isolation. Wear a well-fitting mask any time you’re around others until it’s been at least 10 days since the person who tested positive ended their isolation. 

If you’re not up to date—unvaccinated, in progress, not yet boosted — begin quarantine immediately and continue until it’s been 5 days since the person who tested positive ended their isolation. 5 days after the person’s isolation ends, you should get tested for COVID-19. If you test negative, you’re good to leave the house, but you should wear a well-fitting mask any time you’re around others until it’s been at least 10 days since the person who tested positive ended their isolation. 

In any case, you should isolate immediately if you develop symptoms or test positive. 

I’ve been notified that I may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Should I get tested? 

Per the CDC, an exposure is having been less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15+ minutes over a 24-hour period.  

If you’re up to date—primary series and booster—with your COVID-19 vaccines, you don’t need to quarantine but you should get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact. 

If you’re not up to date—unvaccinated, in progress, not yet boosted—with your COVID-19 vaccines, quarantine for at least 5 days and get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact.  

Please visit the CDC’s website for more detailed instructions about what to do if you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive. 

How can I care for myself at home if I have COVID-19? 

If you’re home sick with COVID-19, there are some things you can do to help manage your symptoms: 

  • Get lots of rest. 
  • Stay hydrated—warm beverages can ease throat soreness and congestion. 
  • Use over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever, headaches, and other body aches. 
  • Take your temperature with a thermometer at least twice a day.  

When should I go to the hospital if I have COVID-19? 

If you start showing any of these signs, seek emergency care immediately: 

  • Trouble breathing 
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest 
  • New confusion 
  • Inability to stay awake 
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone 

These are not all possible emergency symptoms. Please contact a medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.