More than 1,100 coronavirus tests have been run, and NC is prepping for more
North Carolina has processed more than 1,100 tests for coronavirus and thousands more samples are being tested, the state’s top health official said Tuesday.
That number is up sharply from the 329 tests the state had done as of Monday.
Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference that the state has confirmed 40 positive tests, a number that she said reflects all testing and not just those performed at the state lab. LabCorp and Quest are processing tests, and UNC Health has developed and deployed its own test.
The number of positive tests continued to climb Tuesday afternoon, The News & Observer reported.
“Ramping up testing is important for where we are right now. The level and intensity of testing will change as we move through our response,” Cohen said. “Testing will become less important in later stages of responding to COVID-19.”
NC DHHS said it has supplies to process another approximately 1,300 tests. Others in the state are processing tests, though those numbers are not yet included in overall testing numbers.
“Hospitals and commercial labs are testing and working on reporting all the numbers of tests, positive or negative, regardless of where they are being done,” she said.
Cohen said there are concerns about the supply chain for testing supplies and protective gear for health care workers. But, she added, “North Carolina is in the best position we can be.”
The state’s restrictions on who can get tested remain. Those criteria include people who have fever or lower respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) and close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 14 days or people who have a fever, a cough and a negative flu test.
The criteria exist, Cohen said, to get those most likely to have the virus tested. Some patients are getting test results back in one or two days, she said, while others are taking four to five days.
She said the state is working with local partners to “ramp up sample collection spaces.”
“Last night we sent clear guidance to every doctor in our state, through the medical board, on how they can collect samples from appropriate patients while also protecting themselves and other patients at their practice,” Cohen said. “If doctors are unable to collect samples for testing in their office, we are working with our public and private partners to expand sample collections for doctors to refer someone to an alternative, non-hospital based site.”
Some medical practices are taking precautionary steps to keep potentially coronavirus-positive patients away from other patients and protect health care workers. Preston Medical Associates in Cary has introduced a drive-up practice to collect a sample from those who think they might have coronavirus.
“Everybody, unfortunately, thinks they might have this, so you’re triaging them,” said Maria Salsone, office manager at Preston Medical Associates.
The practice has a large stop sign on its door, telling patients who have symptoms to remain in their cars. Nurses in full protective gear collect samples in the car. The service is only available to current patients. The practice sends the samples to Quest for testing and it takes two or three days for results.
Salsone said the state health department recommended using the drive-up method.
None of the patients has tested positive.
“Not yet. Knock on wood,” Salsone said.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 6:09 PM.
