First the good news, it looks like the US is finally getting its self sorted out in teh testing arena:
From: Pennsylvania Health Alert Network
Re: 482 - 03/05/2020 - ADV - Commercial Lab Guidance
Message:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is releasing the following advisory regarding commercial laboratory testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Summary:
- As of 3/5/2020, COVID-19 has NOT been detected within Pennsylvania
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Commercial laboratory testing for COVID-19 is available
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Testing is still available at DOH Bureau of Laboratories (BOL)
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COVID-19 is a reportable condition
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Call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) to consult with DOH if there is strong clinical suspicion of COVID-19 prior to test results becoming available
Commercial Laboratory Testing for COVID-19
COVID-19 testing is now available from at least one commercial laboratory, with additional laboratories expected to begin to offer testing over the next several days. Testing is still available through the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories (BOL).
Clinicians should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. Decisions on which patients receive testing should be based on the local epidemiology of COVID-19, as well as the clinical course of illness. As of 3/5/2020, there have been no cases of COVID-19 detected in Pennsylvania. Clinicians are strongly encouraged to test for other causes of respiratory illness, including infections such as influenza. For guidance on how to submit to a commercial laboratory, refer to the guidance the commercial laboratories provide as they come online.
COVID-19 is a reportable condition to the DOH. Any positive test results from any laboratory must be reported to DOH via the Pennsylvania National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA-NEDSS).
If you have a strong clinical suspicion that a patient may be infected with COVID-19 based on clinical symptoms and epidemiological factors (e.g., close contact with a confirmed case, recent travel to an area with sustained transmission), contact the DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) prior to test results becoming available.
You will note that the case definition has changed significantly and we now test everyone who is symptomatic, and at least as of 1700 hours today PA was in good shape. This is one of several I have received today with a fairly uniform message. As of noon Thursday March 5, 46 States had testing capabilities, so only about 6 weeks behind where we should be at this point, thanks Trump.
Now the bad news, as anticipated as testing swings into high gear the numbers of infected individuals is starting to escalate. we were at 136 cases at 0800 eastern, we are now have 230 confirmed cases at 2000 eastern. Expect the number of cases to climb dramatically over the next 48 to 72 hours. there is going to be a lot of disruption but it is still best to avoid infection and avoid infected people where possible. Mr. Santilly at CNBC has again demonstrated what a moron he is but deliberately getting infected is not a good idea.