The average time to get results from a coronavirus test in Alabama has grown from two to three days to seven days in recent weeks as the state struggles with a surge of cases, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
The long wait makes it difficult to treat and quarantine patients under investigation for coronavirus. Although the percentage of positive tests has started to decline, Alabama is still seeing high numbers of new cases and hospitalizations due to the virus.
Officials from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) said a number of factors have caused a backlog at laboratories that delays the reporting of test results. A nationwide surge in demand and shortage of testing materials have slowed the process. In some cases, unnecessary testing has contributed to the problem, according to the department.
“The current turnaround time for most COVID-19 testing performed in Alabama by commercial laboratories and the state laboratory is now averaging about seven days,” according to the press release. “The Alabama Department of Public Health recognizes that this is too long and asks for consumers and physicians and other providers to help in making sure that those who are most vulnerable become the focus for testing: the elderly, those in congregate living settings, healthcare personnel, those with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and those with underlying medical conditions that place them most at risk.”
Employers should not require employees to test negative for COVID-19 before returning to work, according to ADPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to a positive case should quarantine for 14 days, even with a negative test result. The only exception includes symptomatic patients who have received another diagnosis and tested negative for COVID-19.
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August 01, 2020 at 04:56AM
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Long wait for test results as Alabama ‘overwhelmed’ with coronavirus - AL.com
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