Anyone out there seeing any well-people testing in their area?

[Girard442]

I'm in Rockland County, a northern suburb of NYC. I'm not finding any info on that.

[doc03]

1. I haven't seen or heard of any testing. Apparently you can get one if you are sick enough

since we do have a few cases in the area.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Except For Front Line Med Staff...

...& PD and FD folks, not in IL.
People like the governor and staff might be. Don't think that's been discussed.

[RockCreek]

3. The Villages in Florida

Per this article

For seniors in Florida’s Villages, coronavirus dangers stack up
https://www.tampabay.com/special-reports/2020/04/04/in-the-villages-americas-biggest-retirement-oasis-the-dangers-of-coronavirus-stack-up/

[gibraltar72]

4. In Michigan still scarce 1 in 4 positives.

That tells me we're only testing the ones with most symptoms. Initially we were getting about 1.2 for every two tests. Still way to few nationwide.

[lark]

5. Definitely not happening here.

There is one place that takes people who only have shortness of breath, no fever, but they only take 250 a day and that's usually closed within an hour of opening. Mayo says they are ramping up their testing, but have heard nothing about availability to the public.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. Here's what Arkansas is saying about testing:

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever, cough, or shortness of breath call ahead to your health care provider.

Those at higher risk for serious illness include older adults and people with underlying chronic medical conditions. People who are considered high risk should contact their health care provider early, even if symptoms are mild.

Health care providers will decide if testing for COVID-19 is necessary based on your symptoms and known exposures. Providers can test through private labs.
---
At this time, the ADH Public Health Lab is only performing tests for Arkansans with possible high risk exposure to COVID-19. However, health care providers have access to testing through other labs.

https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-guidance-for-getting-tested

Here are the results of testing in AR thru 4/5/20.

853 confirmed cases in Arkansas
16 deaths
100 recoveries
10,927 negative tests

https://www.arkansasonline.com/arvirus/#datawrapper-chart-fUSq3

[uponit7771]

7. ***THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT !!! *** I don't know how to scream it loud enough that ...

... when we see the well people get tested on top of those who are symptomatic then we can get ahead of the virus.

Testing only symptomatic when the virus has an incubation period seems crazy to me.

We need to do what we can to stop the spread and separate the infected continually.

[Girard442]

8. Quite true. Things could be different if the world hadn't gone mad.

[MFM008]

9. My son went in

To be tested due to shortness of breath.
They tested him for the flu and strep throat.
Him and his wife both have strep with no sore throat.
But they did not test for C 19.
They seem to be testing for other stuff first.

[Tracer]

10. In MA they are opening up some testing sites, but

the sites are only for police, fire and medical personnel.

[Hoyt]

11. The shortage of tests is a factor. The risk of getting infected getting a test is a factor. And,

even if you test positive, there's not much they can do other than quarantining and we are supposed to be doing essentially that anyway.

Plus, the people collecting specimens are at risk.

The rapid tests have high false negatives. So, not worth a lot and might leave a bunch of people thinking they are good to go.

The more accurate tests takes a couple of days to get results. You might be negative when you head out to specimen collection sites, but become infected at site or a day or two later. Thus, you think you are fine and good to go, when you really aren't.

Now, when a blood antibody test is available, that'll be something of real value.