There are 2.4 million+ reported cases of the Coronavirus worldwide and the number keeps growing and with that, government and other panels have started transforming a number of facilities into the COVID-19 testing sites which ranges from drive-through test locations to medical centers which are set up for the main testing.

But because there are still limitations, getting tested for the disease isn’t just that simple but as more medical testing kits are being made and deployed, this situation might change over time.

With the testing, this simply allow the medical organization set up to deal with this know if you have the virus within your system or not. There are those who have symptoms of the disease such as fever, head ache and cough as well as shortness of breath while there are those who are asymptomatic (don’t even know they probably have the disease) as they can unknowingly spread the disease to unsuspecting people around them especially those who are more vulnerable to the disease. But there are few things you should know about getting tested for the Coronavirus disease.

ANYONE CAN’T JUST GET TESTED

As of now, not anyone can just get tested especially in the US and most countries especially those with much limited testing supply kits. But testing capacity may vary from cities to cities. And depending on the severity of the situation, it might determine which city gets to have more testing kits. The New York would be a good example of one as thousands of test kits are said to have been deployed to the city. The city is in fact said to be planning to make it’s own test kits by May though would still require the FDA approval before going ahead.

So with that said, test kits are often reserved for those with higher risks of the disease such as those with underlying health conditions or those exhibiting strong symptoms which are associated with the disease as mentioned above – trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion and bluish lips or face.

New devices are said to being on development as scientists are working closely with the FDA in order to get these tools approved. They’re CRIPR-Based system which are known as Detectr which could detect the disease under 40 minutes. Meanwhile other treatments are also being tested and trialed on animals and humans as well.

WHAT IF A DOCTOR ORDER YOU GET TESTED

There are scenarios whereby you might need a doctor’s order in order to get qualified for a coronavirus test. Because every state have different policies about testing, the Centers for Diseae Control and Prevention (CDC) usually recommends you contact your own state health department in order to gt information about getting tested. And they also let you know where the testing site is in your state which you can visit.

SO WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK MEDICAL HELP

One of the two common symptoms highlighted by the CDC as well as the WHO to be associated with the Coronavirus includes having a fever as well as cough. But then having difficulties breathing is a more serious symptoms which means you seek immediate medical help. But then when you start exhibiting other symptoms such as pain or pressure in your chest, having confusion as well as bluish lips or face, then you need to get yourself a medical aid fast.

Also those who are more vulnerable to the disease includes people with underlying conditions such as Hypertension, heart disease, auto-immune disease, moderate to severe asthma, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or severe obesity as well as people over the age of 65.

CDC PRIORITIZES WHO GETS TESTED FIRST

Because of limited resources currently, the CDC prioritizes who should get tested which gets broken down into three priorities as according to the body.

• Priority one: Hospitalized patients and symptomatic healthcare workers.
• Priority two: High-risk patients with coronavirus symptoms.
• Priority three: Testing symptomatic individuals in the community, if resources allow.

WHAT IF YOU COULDN’T GET TESTED WHILE SUSPECTING YOU HAVE COVID-19

According to the CDC, most people who have contracted the disease are said to have mild symptoms and can easily recover from it while in self-isolation in their homes even without intensive medical care and so those people do not need to be tested.

Which is why the body have set up those three priorities but if you think you have the disease, there are things you can do to ensure your well-being while self-isolating. But first and foremost is to get or make face mask with which you can stop the spread from yourself to others around you especially those vulnerable.