Big, big turnout at Covid-19 test clinic

In Point Roberts, the fire district experienced a huge increase in numbers at Wednesday’s Covid-19 testing clinic. Fire chief Christopher Carleton told commissioners at their regular monthly meeting the same day that 170 people came through the clinic, “95 percent of whom were Canadians,” he said. The chief expects up to 300 people for a booster vaccination clinic as well as another big turnout for testing on Sunday, November 14.

There will be another booster vaccination clinic on November 21 for those not planning to go this Sunday. Carleton said people should expect to wait to be vaccinated given that the expected turnout will be 50 percent higher than the department has previously processed in a day.

The testing takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. while the booster vaccination begins at 1 p.m. There will be two booster vaccines available, J&J and Moderna. There is no charge for the vaccination, regardless of nationality or place of residence.

There should be no charge for people without U.S. insurance or whose insurance does not cover Covid testing. Should an individual receive an invoice from Northwest Laboratory, they should call the lab and explain that they were an international traveler without U.S. insurance and ask the lab to send the invoice to the state who has agreed to pay for Covid-19 testing in Point Roberts. Carleton expressed confidence that the vast majority of, if not all, invoices would be subsequently taken care of by the state.

There will be a vaccination clinic on Friday, November 12 for children aged 5-11 to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Call the Point Roberts Clinic at 360/945-2580 before 6 p.m. today to schedule the appointment. If you have U.S. insurance, be prepared to provide that information when you call. No one will be refused due to a lack of insurance.