How much should that Covid-19 test cost? Nada

Fire chief Christopher Carleton updated fire commissioners at their last commission meeting on the district’s twice-weekly Covid-19 testing program. According to the chief, the state has agreed to pay for all tests not covered by U.S. insurance until the end of the year and possibly longer, regardless of the nationality of the individual being tested.

Should the individual being tested later receive a bill from Northwest Laboratory, Carleton said that person should call up the lab, tell them that they are an international visitor without U.S. insurance and that the bill should be sent to the state for reimbursement. That should take care of it, he said.

Separately, chief Carleton provided the local health clinic with a report on local cases. “Since starting testing in April 2020, we have had 23 individuals with positive COVID results. There have not been any positive results to date since September 1, 2021. A number of those were households where all members of the family living together became infected. Our fire district program to assist community members with their isolation protocol has been successful and beneficial to them as they go through the illness.”