You might have heard that access to COVID-19 testing has been expanded. As of March 27, 2020, testing capacity is still limited and testing criteria is largely determined by local and state health departments.
Based on the latest CDC guidance and given the limited testing capacity available, we recommend prioritizing testing for those at highest risk, as detailed below. This includes the following:
- Hospitalized patients
- Healthcare workers
- Patients in long-term care facilities
- Patients 65 and older
- Patients with underlying health conditions
- First responders
…and have either of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough or shortness of breath
While testing was previously recommended for someone who has been in direct close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or for those who have recently traveled to an area of a known outbreak, that criteria is beginning to become less relevant as outbreaks emerge across the U.S.
These recommendations will continue to change as we learn more about the virus.