Here's How Your State Is Handling Coronavirus Testing

[littlemissmartypants]

Here's How Your State Is Handling Coronavirus Testing

We contacted health officials in all 50 states and Washington, DC, to find out how many Americans have actually been tested for the coronavirus.

By Stephanie M. Lee and Zahra Hirji and Tasneem Nashrulla and Caroline O'Donovan and Otillia Steadman and Dan Vergano

As the coronavirus spreads in the US, with more than 270 known cases, the biggest question that’s emerged is how many infections remain undetected in a testing crisis that’s swept the nation. The CDC has come under fire for failing to catch the virus during its first, crucial weeks in the US. The agency distributed a diagnostic test to state labs that was faulty, and established rigid, narrow criteria for who could be tested. With the tests since fixed and the criteria expanded as of last week, the White House is now arguing that the crisis is effectively under control.

“I’m pleased to report that all state labs have the test,” Vice President Mike Pence, who oversees the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said Friday, adding that this week, enough tests for 75,000 patients had been distributed. But as coronavirus cases are confirmed by the hour across the country, most of all in Washington state, it is becoming clear to public health experts that there are many more that just aren’t getting detected.

To find out how many coronavirus tests are being conducted, BuzzFeed News contacted the public health departments of all 50 states and Washington, DC, between Tuesday and Friday.

Snip.

State by state results and
More at the link.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/stephaniemlee/coronavirus-testing-by-state?__twitter_impression=true

[RockCreek]

1. Extremely useful info, thank you. n/t

[BlancheSplanchnik]

2. Kick and Rec.

[barbtries]

3. In NC there are 3 criteria and all must be met:

Only those who meet all of the following criteria should ask their doctor or local health department about being testing for COVID-19 through the NCSLPH:

1. Have recently traveled to affected geographic areas, and
2. Are experiencing fever, and
3. Are experiencing respiratory symptoms

Some commercial labs are conducting tests so doctors can order it.

These criteria seem quite restrictive to me. NC has 7 cases right now based on presumptive diagnoses. The affected geographic areas do not include any in the US. Yet at least one confirmed case got it in WA.

I'm not comforted. If I'm reading it right, community-acquired cases will not be tested unless the patient has a doctor and, I presume, has the ability to pay an outside lab.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/testing-covid-19

[Chainfire]

4. Florida's Republican governor (my speculation)

Has declared (in a secret meeting of Republican officials) that all deaths, from here forward, are to be attributed to the only real cause of death, heart failure. It has been decided that no test kits are to be pissed away testing potentially sick people.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. K&R. Tremendous variance in capability between states.

Many states just now getting up to speed.

Thanks............