Jefferson County residents can pick up grab-and-go COVID-19 test kits at Jefferson Healthcare starting Thursday, hospital officials announced.

The test kits are for people who have mild COVID-like symptoms and don’t want medical help.

The self-swab test kits can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the the Express Clinic entrance at the main hospital in Port Townsend.

Residents can drop off the completed kits at the Jefferson Healthcare Drive-Thru Testing Station from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  

Hospital officials said each self-swab kit comes with detailed instructions to obtain an accurate sample.

Registration staff at the hospital will collect details and insurance billing information, if appropriate, from people when the kits are dropped off.

Officials said test results should be available within a day, and a nurse will call with test results.

Residents who have a MyChart account can view their results online.

People who have COVID-like symptoms that continue to worsen after they take a self-test should seek medical care through the hospital’s emergency department or Express Clinic, officials noted.

There is no cost to pick up the test, and if a person has insurance, that will be requested at the time the kit is dropped off, Amy Yaley of Jefferson Healthcare said.

“We will not be billing patients for the test,” she added. “We ask that only symptomatic patients test.”