Understanding Health Conditions Eligible for COVID Test
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in a way that has never been seen before. It has disrupted daily life and caused widespread concern among individuals and communities. Testing is considered a vital measure to control the spread of COVID-19. However, not everyone under the sun needs to get tested for it.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people who may have COVID-19 be tested, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. Those with symptoms may include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. But these symptoms are not exclusive, and one may not have any of these yet still require testing.
Testing can also help in identifying and isolating asymptomatic individuals who are still capable of spreading the disease. It’s important to know if you’ve come in close contact with someone who has tested positive. Close contact is defined as being within six feet of someone who has the virus for at least 15 minutes. Such individuals are encouraged to get themselves tested.
It’s critical to understand that not everyone is eligible to get tested for COVID-19. Only people with specific symptoms or those who may have been exposed to the virus qualify for testing. Here, we will list the eligible health conditions that qualify for COVID-19 testing.
COVID-19 Testing Criteria
1. Symptomatic individuals: COVID-19 symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
2. Close contact: Anyone who has been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
3. Health care workers and first responders: Health care workers – doctors, nurses, and other medical staff – may get exposed to COVID-19 while treating infected patients at hospitals and clinics. The same applies to police officers, firefighters, and emergency responders.
4. People in work settings: Institutions that are involved in critical infrastructure operations can conduct testing to maintain the safety and continuity of essential services.
5. People in most affected communities: People living in areas with a high COVID-19 positivity rate or those disproportionately impacted by the virus can get tested even if they don’t have symptoms.
It’s essential to note that testing might not be necessary in some cases. The CDC recommends that those who have recovered from the virus or have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days do not need testing unless they develop new symptoms. Similarly, individuals who have tested positive within the past three months need not get tested again unless they develop new symptoms.
In conclusion, COVID-19 testing is crucial to contain the spread of the virus. It’s recommended for symptomatic individuals, those in close contact with infected individuals, healthcare workers, first responders, people in work settings, and most affected communities. It’s important to follow the guidelines and get tested only if you fall under any of the categories listed above.
