Should you get a coronavirus test? Answers on NC mass gatherings, testing sites, costs.
As North Carolina’s benchmarks tracking the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to trend in the wrong direction, state officials are urging more citizens to get tested.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, said on Monday that people who have attended any kind of mass gatherings, including protests, should get tested, even if they show no symptoms.
Cohen also mentioned the need for viral testing among people who work in jobs that require them to be around a lot of other people, such as grocery stores and meat packing plants.
On Tuesday, DHHS released a memo saying that community transmission is increasing in many areas of the state and among historically marginalized populations, “especially among our LatinX community.”
That memo suggested testing for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms; people who have close contact with positive cases, regardless of symptoms; and people with higher risk of exposure or at higher risk of severe disease if they become infected.
Here’s what you need to know.
Should I only get tested for COVID-19 if I have symptoms?
Not necessarily. DHHS secretary Cohen stresses that the absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of the virus. You can have the virus and not show symptoms, and spread it to others.
But of course, if you do have symptoms, viral testing is also a good idea.
You can check your symptoms at this DHHS site — ncdhhs.gov/symptoms — and if testing is recommended, the site will tell you about nearby testing sites.
If I attended a protest, racetrack event or other mass gathering, should I get tested?
Yes. State health officials say that anyone who has attended a mass event should get tested — even if you don’t have symptoms.
You can use this DHHS site to find the nearest testing place: ncdhhs.gov/TestingPlace. Enter your county or ZIP code in the search box for results. Note that many places require an appointment and most places require screening, which is a simple questionnaire. Some places will require a physician’s order.
You can also contact your primary care physician for guidance on where to be tested.
How much does a coronavirus test cost?
In many cases, there will be no cost for a COVID-19 test.
Many insurance plans have waived the co-pay for testing, and many commercial testing sites, such as CVS and Walgreens, also do not charge those who qualify for testing.
What is the difference between a viral test and an antibody test?
A viral test tells you if you have a current infection. An antibody test tells you if you had a previous infection.
According to the CDC, an antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection, because it can take one to three weeks after infection to make antibodies. It is also not yet known if having antibodies to the virus can protect you from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last.
Where can I get an antibody test?
Many of the same sites that offer viral testing also offer antibody testing.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and a loss of taste or sense of smell.
What do I do if I test positive for coronavirus?
The CDC says that most people with COVID-19 can recover at home without medical care, but you should contact your primary care physician and let them know, and keep them updated on how you are doing.
Those testing positive for coronavirus should be in isolation. In other words, people infected with the virus (whether you feel sick or have no symptoms) should be kept away from people who are not infected. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care, and do not visit public places.
In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).
For treatment, the CDC advises rest and staying hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
Monitor your symptoms and consult your physician if they worsen. Seek emergency care if you experience the following: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.
More guidance from the CDC on what to do if you are sick with coronavirus: cdc.gov/coronavirus.
If I test positive, how long do I have to be isolated?
If you tested positive and had symptoms, you can be around other people once you have gone three days with no fever and your symptoms have improved and it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared.
If you tested positive and had no symptoms, you can be around others after 10 days have passed, as long as you do not develop symptoms during those 10 days. If you do develop symptoms, follow the guidance above. Your physician may suggest a second test to see if you are still infected.
How can I protect myself from coronavirus?
North Carolina health officials, in accordance with the CDC, urge everyone to follow the “3 Ws” to protect themselves and others when leaving home: Wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people; Wait six feet apart and avoid close contact; Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Should you get a coronavirus test? Answers on NC mass gatherings, testing sites, costs.."
