Maryland to expand coronavirus testing to those without symptoms

[qwlauren35]

https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs-md-testing-expands-20200519-ddp47yysfzfmjgvtgwv5ck2ilq-story.html?utm_medium=notification&utm_source=onesignal

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced new guidance Tuesday that allows people without symptoms to be tested for the coronavirus at state-run testing sites.

The state is also opening two more testing sites in Prince George’s County and allowing pharmacists to administer tests.

Hogan said more than 200,000 tests have been administered in the state, representing 3.5% of the population, allowing testing to expand to people who may have been exposed to the virus but don’t have any symptoms.

“This will help doctors diagnose and treat new cases more quickly, and it will further increase the safety of our citizens,” the Republican governor said in a statement Tuesday.

Public health experts have said that having widespread testing available is a crucial component in the strategy to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus as restrictions on activities and gatherings are eased.

Identifying people who have the virus and isolating them and their contacts can limit how many people get infected, experts say.

[onecaliberal]

1. This is the only way to contain the spread. If you don't know where it is, you cannot contain it.

If your state isn't doing this, they're not trying to contain and really are just trying to save the economy now.

[qwlauren35]

2. I hope we have enough.

I am still thinking that there need to be some guidelines. Test if you've met someone who had it. Test if someone coughed around you. Test if you live in a nursing home. Test if you have certain medical conditions.

I would hate for people to do it because they are hypochondriacs.

[onecaliberal]

3. The vast majority of people are asymptomatic, they are spreading it everywhere and don't even know

they're sick. That's why everyone has to be tested. This is just the way it is for now. Also, the vaccine that Oxford is touting isn't what they said. ALL of the monkeys injected still showed virus. Some sick, some asymptomatic.

[qwlauren35]

4. ALL OF US????

I don't think there are enough test kits for everyone in Maryland to be tested.

That's why I was thinking of guidelines. Where you've been, who you've seen.

Contact tracing.

[onecaliberal]

5. If we wait until people are near someone

Who is sick to be tested, ALOT more people are going to die. I for one will not go back to work unless everyone there is tested. If I bring it home to my immunocompromised husband it could be bad.

[qwlauren35]

6. I just don't think we have enough tests.

But I don't know what the solution is.

[onecaliberal]

7. No we don't because no one cares if it spreads or how many die.

Why do you think other countries have a dramatically lower number of deaths? It’s clear that the country’s who test contain it, the countries that don’t test have staggering death tolls.