Testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is now widely available at public, academic, private, and commercial laboratories and clinics such as Ritecare Medical Center in Hialeah. But health experts say that not everyone actually needs to be tested.
COVID-19 testing in Hialeah: Who are prioritized?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most testing facilities should prioritize people who are symptomatic. This means patients who have clear signs of a COVID-19 infection like fever, cough, and difficulty of breathing, especially if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Click here to tell the difference between seasonal flu and COVID-19.
But some individuals may also undergo COVID-19 tests even if they do not show any symptoms (also known as asymptomatic) if they are:
- healthcare workers and first responders
- essential employees
- social services workers
- people who are in group living facilities – either as residents or staff
For some healthcare facilities, considerations may also be given to testing individuals who are over 65 years old with underlying conditions. People who have been to a hospital or have had procedures during this COVID-19 crisis may also be permitted to take the test to ensure that they are not carriers when they leave the hospital.
COVID-19 Tests: Why mass testing isn’t possible?
According to experts from the UC Davis Health, testing a large population may not be practical, affordable, or logistically possible for many cities or states. A negative test today doesn’t mean that the person will not become positive in the next couple of days or weeks, making daily tests even more improbable and costly.
Instead of testing, health experts say that the best ways to slow down the spread of the coronavirus are to enforce precautions like physical distancing, wearing a face mask, and habitually washing hands or using hand sanitizers, especially if the person has been outside.
People who may be exposed to coronavirus must also quarantine or self-isolate for 14 days. As much as possible, they must also identify and inform the people they have recently been in contact with, who could therefore be positive for the disease.
COVID-19 Test: How is this done?
COVID-19 testing Hialeah is done by inserting a six-inch-long swab in either the nose or the mouth of the patient. This swab will be rotated for 15 seconds to collect samples that will be sent to a lab. It takes at least three days to know the results. Another test, called the antibody test, is conducted by collecting blood samples from patients.
Learn more about COVID-19 testing at Ritecare Medical Center, Hialeah
If you think you are suffering from symptoms of COVID-19, contact us at RiteCare Medical Center. Feel free to ask us any questions you may have about COVID-19 testing. Call us at (305) 200-1225. We also launched telemedicine in Hialeah to make our medical services more available and accessible to patients in these difficult times.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
