March 22nd, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Wondering if you need to be tested for COVID-19?:

Are you having symptoms of covid-19 and wondering if you need to be tested? The fact is, not everyone needs a test. The sicker you are, the more likely you should be tested for COVID-19. Right now, testing supplies are limited and should only be used for those who are very ill. Your health care provider can figure out if you qualify for a covid-19 specimen collection. Pick up the phone and start that conversation. Let’s all do our part to conserve existing supplies for those who need them the most. For more information on COVID-19, visit coronavirus.gov.

What you need to know about COVID-19 testing limitations:

Testing for COVID-19 today is more complicated than it seems. Even if your healthcare provider recommends testing, there could still be delays in getting tested and receiving your results. Testing supplies are limited right now nationwide, including swabs to collect specimens and lab supplies necessary to process tests. The person who collects your specimen for testing needs to wear an n-ninety-five mask for full protection, but n-ninety-fives are running low and are needed for lifesaving care of the critically ill. Labs are overrun with demand, delaying results. It now takes more than a week for results to come back, even for hospitalized patients. And in the end, if you are only mildly to moderately ill, getting tested for COVID-19 will not make a difference in your care. Let’s all follow the advice of our healthcare professionals and help keep testing supplies available for those most in need. For more information on COVID-19, visit coronavirus.gov.

COVID-19 Messaging for individuals:

Are you a younger person and basically healthy? The odds are greatly on your side that, if you contract coronavirus, your illness will come and go without the need for face-to-face medical attention. Stay at home, self-isolate, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and call your health care provider if you have questions. Do you have a chronic condition such as heart or lung disease or diabetes? Are you in your seventies? Eighties? Older? If you fit into either or both of those categories, you might be at higher risk for serious complications from covid-19. Stay in touch with your healthcare provider by phone and make sure they know about all of your symptoms. Get immediate medical attention if you start to experience difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, difficulty staying alert or bluish color in the lips or face.

COVID-19 – Be a responsible community member:

Testing today for COVID-19 is not as simple as it sounds. Test kits and materials are in short supply. Labs are unable to keep up with the nationwide demand. Test results can take a week or longer, even for hospitalized patients. As a community, we need to prioritize testing for our sickest members and also for the healthcare workers on the front lines taking care of the ill. Not everyone needs a COVID-19 specimen collection. The sicker you are, the more likely you should be tested for COVID-19. Get immediate medical attention if you start to experience difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, difficulty staying alert or bluish color in the lips or face. We are all in this together. Speak to your health care provider over the phone to determine if your case requires COVID-19 testing. Please do your part to conserve resources. You can also assess your symptoms using the cdc’s coronavirus self-checker at coronavirus.gov.