Amid states of emergency that have placed sharp restrictions on public gatherings, top state and city officials are scrambling to up the number of coronavirus tests performed daily in New York.
In the meantime, here are authorities’ latest answers to questions you might have about testing and other medical issues related to the local response to a global pandemic.
I THINK I MIGHT HAVE CORONAVIRUS. NOW WHAT?
If you have a fever, cough or experience trouble breathing, call your primary care provider to discuss your symptoms, state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said Thursday. If you need to go to the emergency room, call the hospital ahead of time, let them know you’re on the way and whether you have an underlying health condition, he advised.
In most cases, people with coronavirus will “self resolve”— meaning you’ll experience cold or flu-like symptoms for a few days and will get better. If you’re feeling sick, stay home. The city Health Department recommends you do so until at least 72 hours after your symptoms resolve.
IF I VISIT MY DOCTOR OR THE EMERGENCY ROOM, WILL I GET TESTED?
Not necessarily. Health care providers are required to prioritize whom they can test based on city, state and federal guidelines.
Those with a fever, cough or shortness of breath and who came into close contact with someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus are on the priority list. Ditto for people who have potential symptoms and recently visited certain countries — like China, Italy, Japan, South Korea or Iran.Continue reading