COVID 19 Testing Criteria

General
1

Since early March, two groups have been and remain prioritized for COVID-19 testing. These groupings prioritize the likelihood of finding disease (testing those who are most likely to have been exposed), support care for those most at risk, and support proper infection control in the healthcare setting. Individuals prioritized for testing by include the following:

  1. Seriously ill individuals hospitalized or otherwise at high risk of complications: This includes seriously ill individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 who are hospitalized, near hospitalization or otherwise at highest risk of poor health outcomes (e.g., those who are elderly or have serious underlying chronic diseases, nursing home residents, etc.) AND who do not have another identified cause for their illness (e.g., flu, other respiratory viruses). No history of potential exposure is needed for these patients.

OR

  1. Individuals at medium to high risk of having been infected: This includes any individual with symptoms of lower respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) AND a history of likely exposure to COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset (e.g., close contact with an individual confirmed to have COVID-19 or recent travel history from or living in areas with widespread community transmission) AND do not have another identified cause for their illness (e.g., flu, or other respiratory viruses).

The availability of test kits is only a small part of the issue. A far more significant issue is the strain on our health care system and the availability of Medical professionals to screen and test. as our care systems are becoming strained, the person you end up seeing may have no knowledge of you or your disease.WE can not STRESS enough the importance of having your health Information centralized and available by using the Backpack tool made available to our communities at: https://join.backpackhealth.com/bensfriends On the spot, whether you are feeling up to it or not, you will be able to tell them what they need to know, so that you get the special care that you need and deserve. We have added to that site share cards for caregivers in addition to the generic share cards or our At Risk members.

Please be Proactive and prepared in the event you need to seek medical help.