Are people waiting for test results before going to the hospital?
Today I saw the 3rd or 4th story about someone who had a bad result or died because they had to wait so long for their test results and thus didn't go to the hospital. Is this a thing that's happening a lot? You don't need to know you have COVID19 to go to the hospital. You go because of your symptoms, the same symptoms you'd have from the flu or pneumonia. This is so sad if it has taken hold as a practice. Tell me these are just isolated cases.
tia
las
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'd bet many of them were predisposed to the rarer cascading complications due to comorbid chronic conditions. If we ever see some of NYC's autopsy reports, I'd bet quite a few suffered a thromboembolic event--suddenly and without warning. Such clotting events might have resulted in a pulmonary embolus for which even timely emergency care can often be unsuccessful.
Certainly, a positive test was not required to go to the hospital ER and those suffering breathing difficulties or other worsening symptoms unlike what they'd been accustomed to with flu should do so. EMTs were certainly not refusing to transport those severe enough to call 911.
It is very sad to contemplate. However, some may have chosen not to call for help--fearing being intubated and placed on a ventilator or perhaps costly medical bills for which they had no way to pay.
American tragedy indeed. 
