COVID-19 Information

Clinic Safety Protocols

Your safety is our priority. With special protocols in place to protect patients and safe, our providers and care team continue to provide the care you need. 

  • Masks are required.
  • If one requires a support person, only one visitor is allowed per patient.
  • To maintain social distancing, each lobby has a maximum number of occupancy.
  • If you have any of these symptoms (fever/chills, fatigue, sore throat, headache/muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath), please return to your vehicle and call the phone # displayed in our front doors to check in.
  • Virtual visits are available when appropriate.
  • We sanitize and disinfect every exam room after every patient, and our waiting room/lobby every hour.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to provide a letter to medically exempt you from receiving the COVID vaccine.  We also will not write a letter for you requesting religious exemption.

If you have a known medical concern for a vaccine reaction to the Covid vaccine or one of its components please let our office know as we can assist you with setting up an appointment to discuss this with your provider.

We do consider documenting a deferment letter if you have an acute diagnosis of Covid or if you received monoclonal antibodies or plasma treatment for Covid-19.  We do understand patients’ concerns with getting the vaccine but it has been shown to be safe and effective at protecting yourself and others against Covid.  

The following link to the CDC provides some answers to common concerns to receiving the vaccine:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.

For patients with specialty conditions who are in a need of a letter due to a specialty concern, please follow up with your specialist directly.

Masks are required to be worn properly and kept on at all times.

Thank you for keeping everyone safe.

As part of our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we ask that you do not bring guests with you to our clinics. If you require a support person, only one will be allowed in per patient. While we make every effort to keep our waiting areas clean and sanitary, limiting the number of people in our spaces is an important prevention strategy. Thank you for understanding.
Please call us first at 253-848-5951 for an initial screening process prior to coming in. If you have the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, the best action is to follow CDC’s recommendations and self-quarantine.

If you have severe symptoms, particularly difficulty in breathing, we recommend you go to the nearest Emergency Room to get emergency care. Please protect others in your household by doing the following:

  • Stay home except to get medical care.
  • Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
  • Wear a face mask when in close contact with others.
  • Cover your cough and sneezes.
  • Wash your hands often, using this World Health Organization protocol.
  • Avoid sharing household items.
  • Clean all high touch surfaces every day
  • Monitor your symptoms – seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening especially if you have difficulty breathing.

Yes, we do. We have created a telehealth platform for both continuity and walk-in clinics.

Most needs can be addressed to a telehealth visit. Learn more through our Video Visits page. Certain types of visits may still require an in-person appointment.

Please inform us at the time of scheduling that you want your appointment to be a virtual visit instead.

Prescription-refill appointments can often be done through a telephone visit. Please inform us at the time of scheduling that your purpose is for prescription-refills and you want this to be scheduled as a telephone visit.

Please note that some prescriptions may require an in-person visit or lab work. Your provider will have additional directions during your telephone visit should lab work will be needed.

Our walk-in labs follow the same protocol of pre-screening at the door and waiting in the car.

COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that has flu-like symptoms, including coughing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days of exposure:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

*note: this list does not include all possible symptoms

We test for COVID-19 by appointment only.

  • Prior to making an appointment for COVID-19 testing, you must be evaluated by a Sound Family Medicine provider.
  • After you have completed your appointment with your provider, they will get you scheduled for your COVID-19 testing.
  • To check-in, please call the phone number posted outside the clinic to let your team know you have arrived for your appointment.
  • We test for COVID-19 at our 10th St. Walk-in Clinic and at Bonney Lake Walk-in Clinic. Testing will be available from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Until you have received a negative test result, you must act as though you are positive to avoid infecting others.

  • Stay home except to receive medical care. If your situation worsens and you need to go to the hospital or doctor’s office, please call first to let them know you are coming.
  • Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
  • Wear a face mask around others.
  • Cover your coughs, sneezes, and wash your hands often with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Remember that hand sanitizer is less effective than soap.
  • Clean all high touch surfaces frequently.
  • Monitor your symptoms and notify us if worsening.
Your provider will notify you whether your test is negative or positive.

There is no need to call us to follow up. Your provider will contact you as soon as the test results are available.

  • If you are symptomatic (with symptoms present), you will receive your results within 1-2 business days.
  • If you are asymptomatic (no present symptoms), test results may take up to 7 to 10 days to process.

A look at how we are keeping our clinics safe

Questions? Contact us.