How will you know whether you have it, and not another jot down of cold or flu?
At press time, there have been233 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the U.S. and 14 deaths.
These numbers will only grow as we increase testing and find new cases in new areas.
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How will I know if I should get tested for the new coronavirus?
Some states that are seeing more and more cases, likeWashington, are setting up this kind of resource.
That might sound simple enough, but figuring out who needs testing has turned out to be complicated.
That brings me to the next question I know a lot of people have.
Can I get turned away from testing even if I have symptoms?
Yes, but this isnt necessarily as alarming as it sounds.
The guidelines for who exactly should receive testing are a quickly moving target.
But there are a few looming issues with this guidance that I find concerning.
Other infectious disease experts I spoke with agree.
I think we need to focus on testing our most vulnerable populations, Dr. Kuppalli tells SELF.
Dr. Mina is also concerned about this new change.
How does the test work?
In any case, U.S. testing for new coronavirus is similar no matter where the kit is coming from.
These samples are then tested for viral ribonucleic acid that signals the new coronavirus.
How accurate is the test?
The insert estimates that at least 90% of the test results are accurate.
Some of the disparities here may come down to the method of collection.
The level of precision when testing can also affect how well the test works.
This can be impacted by things like specimen collection, Wroblewski says.
If you’re not collecting good-quality specimens, you’re able to get poor-quality test results.
Why have I been hearing about testing delays and contamination?
Or just delays in manufacturing, Dr. Mina says.
According to theNew York Times,this contamination led to inconclusive results.
Trying to address that problem might have caused testing delays and definitely caused some confusion.
This left many labs, like ours at Brigham and Womens Hospital, wondering how to proceed.
Reportedly, the issues have been resolved.
We worked hand in hand with CDC to patch up the issues with manufacturing.
How much will getting tested for the new coronavirus cost?
It depends on the specifics of your situation.
Butyou might be chargedfor new coronavirus tests that are getting processed by commercial labs.
There are also other factors to consider.
How might new coronavirus testing change moving forward?
Either way, dont expect to see these rapid tests very soon.
The situation with coronavirus is evolving rapidly.
