Regarding Testing Availability, Reported Cases, and the Need to Stay At Home

(April 6, 2020) -- Cherokee County Public Health Department (CCPHD) feels the need to address the testing availability, reported cases, and the importance of staying at home. While some may not agree with the information provided, these are the decisions made based on the current situation we face.

One of the greatest concerns is the lack of testing opportunities and the difficulty in getting approval for testing. Also noted is the confusion about “free testing”, when there are some providers who are charging for testing.

In regard to the lack of testing opportunities and the difficulty in getting approval for testing, while we are hoping that this situation will change, these issues go hand in hand. Currently, the availability of testing supplies is critically low. To compound this issue, the Public Health Labs in our state (there are 11 Public Health Labs testing for this virus) have begun to run low on the testing reagents required to perform the test. This necessitates the stringent criteria which is in place to be able to test individuals for COVID-19. We understand the frustration this creates, but we are hopeful that this issue will be resolved soon, as the labs and providers are working to obtain the supplies needed to increase testing and availability.

“Free testing”, as it has been discussed in the media and by our elected representatives in our State and National Government, is testing performed by one of the Public Health Laboratories. This testing MUST meet current criteria for testing. Those who do not show any symptoms, and those with non-critical symptoms, will most likely not be approved for testing.

There are some providers who are offering testing for a cash price, or to be filed on insurance, which have helped some obtain testing, when testing may not have been otherwise approved for testing. The entities charging for testing are utilizing Private Laboratories, which can set whatever criteria they choose for testing purposes. While some providers are still enacting some criteria for testing to prevent the exhaustion of supplies for these tests (they are being charged for these tests as well), they are still providing a valuable service and should be commended. We understand that many cannot afford this service and do not have insurance, so we will continue to work to establish testing opportunities for all. Unfortunately, this will take time.

Case Numbers and the Need to Stay At Home: Cherokee County will continue to report and investigate laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19. Positive COVID-19 cases are individuals who have been tested by a health care provider who has submitted, received, and reported a positive test. The confirmed cases are interviewed for further information regarding travel history, signs and symptoms, and contacts they may have interacted with.

It is the people who display no symptoms or minimal symptoms that may pose risk to others. Each person needs to limit their travel to essential purposes only, i.e. grocery shopping, job duties, etc., with only the number of individuals required to complete the activity. If you have to go to the store for essentials, it is recommended to wear a cloth facial covering. This is recommended by the CDC to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings can be made at home from household items or other common materials, like bandanas or t-shirts, at low cost which can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html for both sew and no sew instructions.

*Cloth face coverings should NOT be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. *

Stay at home, wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and if you must get out, practice social distancing.