As of March 27, there were more than 80,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in the United States, causing shortage of medical resources in major hospitals and medical institutions. Testing kits are limited and even those places where it’s available, the number of patients and people waiting to be tested are simply overwhelming. Due to this, some people with symptoms could not be tested.
To overcome this predicament, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has come up with guidelines for who should absolutely be tested and who can undergo self isolation instead.
CDC Official Guidelines: CLICK HERE
Zhu Ziqiang, chief physician of the New York Presbyterian and Queen’s Hospital and Amherst Hospital has concluded that people with certain condition need not necessarily be tested. This measure was elicited following a comprehensive run-through of testing methods and medical resources.
3 conditions in which test is not necessary but home isolation is important:
● Those who have had close contact with confirmed cases but no symptoms
● Low-risk group with mild symptoms (under 65 years of age without severe illness)
● High-risk group with mild symptoms (over 65 years old, with diabetes, heart disease, lung obstruction, etc.)
CDC Official Guidelines: CLICK HERE
Regardless, these people need to be quarantined at home depending on their circumstances. If they don’t see any progress within 4 days of isolation, it is crucial to get tested. For the high-risk people have developed moderate or severe symptoms, they need to go to the emergency room immediately.
For those who have had close contact with a confirmed patient, if symptoms occur, they should seek medical attention and consider testing.
According to Dr. Zhu, the testing requirements vary according to availability of resources and severity of cases across different hospitals and regions in the United States. They will also be adjusted accordingly at indefinite times depending on the situation and testing reagants.
Evelyn Yeh, an anesthesiologist from Chicago shared on Facebook her opinions about the symptoms and testing requirements. She believes that people with a family doctor can consider making a virtual appointment over the phone, to assist with their diagnosis.
3 conditions in which test and medical treatment are absolutely necessary:
- Experiencing high fever, which didn’t subside even after taking prescription medicines.
- Loss of appetite and unable to drink water, or have recurring gastrointestinal issues (vomit and diarrhea)
- Experiencing severe shortness of breath
CDC Official Guidelines: CLICK HERE
She suggested that people can record the number of breaths they take in one minute of rest (average 10 to 14 for adults). If close to 20 breaths are needed in that one minute, they should immediately consult a doctor.
CDC recommended that patients with mild symptoms should be isolated and treated at home, so as to avoid virus transmission especially to people at high risk of infection.
Dr. Zhu backed up CDC’s recommendation by mentioning the absence of effective drug to cure the disease, adding that many viral infections are self-limiting. Generally, symptoms will improve in about a week.
Doctors are advising public to practice a healthy lifestyle to boost the immune system, which is important to fight deadly viruses in the body. Maintaining adequate sleep, relaxing, regular exercise and having a balanced diet should be part of your daily routine to keep your health at optimum level.
CDC Official Guidelines: CLICK HERE
