FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Landers, M.D.
(256) 383-1231
The Alabama Department of Public Health Bureau of Clinical Laboratories has expanded the criteria to test for COVID-19 to add testing for certain asymptomatic, high-risk groups and individuals.
By widening the conditions to test high-risk people before symptoms appear, the risk of continued transmission of the virus is lessened and timely case investigations and contact tracing can begin earlier. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made these recommendations.
Symptoms of COVID-19 consist of either cough or shortness of breath (difficulty breathing) or at least two of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
New testing criteria are as follows:
The patient is a resident (includes symptomatic and asymptomatic) of a long-term care facility and the facility has laboratory-confirmed cases in residents or staff, or are
Providers may order testing for persons not meeting the above criteria but are asked to use a commercial or clinical laboratory with which they have an agreement.
For more information, visit alabamapublichealth.gov.
County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.
Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama’s health
Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.
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05/06/2020