If your test results take this long, they have a "small value", says doctor
The former head of the CDC drew attention to the shift of COVID tests in a new test.
Early in the pandemic, the United States ran to increase itsCoronavirus test capacity. With few resources, in many places, only front-line workers and people showing serious symptoms have been encouraged to search for a test. Now a Covid test is much easier to get, even if you simply suspect that you have been exposed or you want to find your status before seeing a family member or returning to work. Unfortunately, considerable demand (especially in states where VVID figures are sting) has resulted in an increase in waiting time for results in many situations. And the former Director of Disease Control Centers and Prevention (CDC) warned that the delay can be so detrimental to completely canceling the test.If you have to wait at least 48 hours for your coronavirus test results, these results are "small value", saidTom Frieden, MD, MPH.
In a test published on LinkedIn on July 14, Frieden approaches some of the recent reports distributed by the CDC. "It's clear thatU.s. does not have COVID-19 under control"He writes, adding that the" virus is moving away and our answer remains fragmented ".
Although you may think that you do your due diligence by getting tests, Frieden's words provide a verification of reality coming out. "The tests that take more than 48 hours to come back have little value," he says. This shift limits the government's ability to follow and trace new cases. There is also always the possibility that an individual contracted Covid-19 as they expect their test results. So, theycan receive a negative result although it's actually now positive And do not take the necessary quarantine precautions.
Indeed, Frieden writes, it is the hardest affected states that face the most challenges with respect to rapid tracing cases. That means he says that "the situation goes worse before improving."
Test providers continue to exceed their services as much as possible, but many have spoken publicly ofObstacles to provide fast results, including disturbances and delays in the supply chain because of the pandemic. In other words, it is enough to get the supplies they need to process tests can be a problem.
"It's not a shortage of one thing. It's nowscarcity task of all, "Scott Becker, from the Association of Public Health Laboratories, saidThe Washington Post recently. "Clinical laboratories need more swabs, chemical reagents, viral transport media, test kits, machines to process the tests, staffing to run the machines."
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Spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)MIA HECKtold the outlet that approximately half of the states, it takes on average two to three days for results; In 24 states, stretching is three to four days. Heck stated that only two states see an average of four to five days on the test. But theTo postNotes, "which does not include new delays to get the results to patients." It's lost critical time.
Until the United States can reduce these waiting periods, people who think they have been exposed should take extra precautions when waiting for results. Self-Quarantine If you can, always wear a mask when you leave the house for essential trips and wash your hands frequently. For more on what these tests tell us, checkAre COVID figures filtering due to tests? Here's what experts say.