With over 55,000 confirmed coronavirus cases (at the time of writing) in the United States, the country now has the third highest number of COVID-19 infections in the world.
World Health Organization spokesperson Margaret Harris has said that the U.S. could potentially become the new epicenter of the outbreak.
“We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the U.S. So, it does have that potential. We cannot say that is the case yet but it does have that potential,” Margaret told reporters on Tuesday (March 24), adding, “…They (the United States) have a very large outbreak and an outbreak that is increasing in intensity.”
On a more positive note, more steps are being taken to implement faster, more comprehensive testing, as well as efforts to isolate the sick and trace their immediate contacts exposed to the virus.
On Friday (March 22), the US Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of a new kind of test that could give results in as little as 45 mins. Before the authorization of this rapid diagnostic test, turnaround time for coronavirus tests results ranged from 24 hours to four days.
However, the rapidly rising number of patients testing positive has put a huge strain on the resources of hospitals and other medical facilities – particularly N95 masks and other personal protective equipment such as gowns, gloves, etc., as well as ventilators.
The private sectors are stepping in to help. Ford has announced that it’s making at testing new face shields, which could help with the shortage of N95 masks. The company is also working with 3M and General Electric to make ventilators to treat people with the worst symptoms of COVID-19.
General Motors is also working on a similar project. Tesla, on the other hand, was able to source out surplus ventilators has handed them over to California. Tesla, Apple and Facebook have also donated face masks to healthcare workers across the country.
Even fashion designers like Christian Siriano and Ashton Michael have volunteered to manufacture masks to supplement the supply of masks for healthcare workers on the frontlines in New York City.
DRIVE-THRU TESTING
To assist with the overcrowding of health centers and other medical facilities in the country, and possibly putting more people at risk of getting infected, drive-thru test center have been popping up across the country.
Due to limited supplies and manpower, however, not just anyone can drive up to get tested. In most cases, you’ll be required to make an appointment and get a referral from your doctor. Some locations are even remaining private to support social distancing.
If you’re suffering from symptoms like consult with your doctor or local healthcare provider if you need to get tested and if there’s a location near you.
How Does It Work?
There are designated lanes where patients can drive up in their cars. Medical personnel in protective gear will administer a 10-minute swab test through your car window (you may feel discomfort as the test is being done). The collected swabs will be sent out for testing and you’ll be notified of your results via text in less than 24 hours. In the meantime, patients are encouraged to self-quarantine/self-isolate while waiting for the results.
Where Are They Located?
NOTE: This list is by no means complete. More drive-thru testing facilities are still being set up around the country. Please check your area’s Department of Health coronavirus updates for the most accurate coronavirus drive-through testing information.
- Alaska
- Requirement – Referral from doctor
- Location – corner of Lake Otis Parkway and E 42nd Ave.
- Arizona
- Requirement – By appointment only
- Location – 3 locations in Phoenix, 1 location in Tucson
NOTE: Exact location will only be available to those eligible for screening
- California
- Requirement – *by appointment only, **for eligible patients
- Locations – Express Care’s Hoover Pavilion location in Palo Alto*; Kaiser Permanente French Campus in San Francisco**; Two Providence group hospitals in north Orange County***
***NOTE: Exact location has not been disclosed, but doctors may refer eligible patients in the area to one
- Colorado
- Location – Department of Public Health and Environment’s parking lot in Lowry.
*NOTE: Please check with your doctor or healthcare provider first if you are eligible
- Connecticut
- Requirements – Referral from doctor, by appointment
- Locations – Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London; Hartford Hospital
- Florida
- Requirements – By appointment only
- Locations – FoundCare health center in Palm Springs; The Villages Polo Club north of Orlando
- Iilinois
- Requirement – By appointment only
- Location – Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge; a few Chicago-area hospitals
- Massachusetts
- Requirement – As of now, only first responders and medical workers who have been referred by a public health official are being tested.
- Location – CVS store in Shrewsbury
- Minnesota
- Requirement – Patients need to undergo a phone screening first with Mayo Clinic to determine whether a test is needed
- Location – Mayo Clinic in Rochester
- New Jersey
- Requirement – Bring your New Jersey picture ID, must be showing symptoms.
- Location – Bergen Community College in Paramus; PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel; Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus
- New York
- Requirements – By appointment only
- Locations – Jones Beach State Park parking lot in long Island; South Beach Psychiatric Center on Staten Island; New Rochelle’s Glen Island Park*
*NOTE: This location is only available to Westchester county residents, with priority given to high-risk population.
- Pennsylvania
- Requirement – *Referral from doctor, **By appointment only
- Locations – University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia*; Main Line Health -Newtown Square**
- Texas
- Requirements – *By appointment only
- Locations – Parkland Health & Hospitals System in Dallas*; private testing facility in San Antonio**
*NOTE: for Parkland patients, first-responders and health care workers who have first conducted a phone screening
**NOTE 2: For first responders and health care workers only
- Washington
- Requirements – By appointment only
- Location – UW Medicine’s Northwest Outpatient Medical Center*
*NOTE: Limited to UW Medical patients, employees and students only
Since this is still a new system, health officials are still trying to work out the kinks. In some cases, many people have waited hours or days for a test. Supply shortages have also led to shut downs of some drive-thru testing centers in states like Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, and Utah. One Las Vegas site was closed because it didn’t have enough workers.
STAY-AT-HOME STATES
As the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus continues to rise, more and more states are ordering their residents to STAY AT HOME. Some are even calling for the White House to institute a nationwide order for Americans to stay at home.
As of Wednesday (March 25) 17 states will have put this in effect, affecting around 50% of the US population.
Non-essential businesses, such as dine-in restaurants, bars, gyms and other establishments where people may congregate are being ordered to close for the meantime. Exceptions are essential services like grocery stores, pharmacies, medical offices, hospitals and gas stations.
Residents are being urged to stay home, avoid gatherings of any kind, and practice social distancing (at least six feet apart from other people) outside the home – including when using public transportations. Outdoor activities (including walking pets) should likewise be limited to non-contact activities.
Staying home and social distancing helps keep the healthy population from coming into contact with the virus. It also helps keep those who have been infected from possibly infecting other people, thus, preventing further spread of the illness.
Leaving home should be limited to essential activities, such as getting food (take out or drive-thru), groceries and prescriptions, or going to medical appointments (check with your doctor or healthcare providers first), and seeking medical help.
States with stay-at-home orders are as follows:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Maryland, Nevada, Virginia and Kentucky have ordered all nonessential businesses to close, but stopped short of issuing official stay-at-home orders.
Alaska has issued 6-foot public social distancing guidelines, and required businesses that can’t abide by that guideline to close.
Georgia has issued orders for the “medically fragile” to shelter in place, while Atlanta has implemented a 14-day stay-at-home order.
Florida is mandating a 14-day self-quarantine or isolation period for travelers. Kansas has also ordered 14-day quarantines for Kansans who traveled to California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Washington.
Individual cities in Texas, such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and El Paso have issued “stay at home” orders. Oklahoma, on the other hand, requires all vulnerable populations to stay at home until April 30 and restricts any gatherings of 10 or more people and had ordered all nonessential businesses to close in the 19 counties where coronavirus cases have been reported.
Stay home. Stay safe. Stay positive. Let’s work together to #FlattenTheCurve.
