As the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths continues to rise in the United States, public health experts continue to insist on shelter-in-place, self isolation and social distancing until more test kits can be made available. Currently the U.S. has 112,000 confirmed cases with a 1.8 percent death rate as of March 28, with the largest numbers occurring in New York, New Jersey, California, Washington and Michigan. The White House has stated that testing medical staff and first responders has priority, as hospitals and laboratory facilities become inundated with patients.
“It’s easy for asymptomatic people with coronavirus to spread the illness”
Though it is known that the Covid-19 strains of coronavirus are zoonotic – originated in infected animals then transmitted to humans – infecting thousands beginning in Wuhan, China, there still remains the unanswered question about those who became infected that did not travel or had no exposure to a known infected person. What is particularly worrisome for healthcare providers is that individuals may have the Covid-19 virus and not exhibit any symptoms and may still be able to transmit the virus to others. “It’s easy for asymptomatic people with coronavirus to spread the illness,” states Dr. Anne Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology at UCLA’s School of Public Health, and more public testing will provide a more accurate count of infected.
Public health experts are concerned that medical staff administering the test kits are becoming more at risk – due to the large number of individuals being tested – and are proposing the use of self-swab test kits for the public to administer at home. Test results from the self-swab kits taken to drive-up drop off centers can be ready the same day – a much shorter time frame from current testing results that take 2-3 days. The self-swab testing would also be easier to administer and be less invasive.
Currently, individuals can get tested for Covid-19 by meeting with their healthcare providers who will then authorize testing at designated sites within the county. Healthcare providers, such as Caduceus Medical Group in California, are prescreening patients by “video visit” for the test and for any other healthcare needs, as a safety measure against further exposing medical staff to the coronavirus. Such safety measures protect other patients who might otherwise be exposed to the virus in waiting rooms, and also ensure that priority is given to those showing more acute symptoms of the coronavirus or from other pre-existing health conditions. People are also being encouraged to take the flu vaccine (if they haven’t already taken it) when visiting their healthcare providers, even though it would not protect them from the coronavirus.
In a Ted Connects interview, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, Bill Gates emphasized the need for more testing along with shelter-in-place protocols, to further the study of the Covid-19 virus transmission and to determine what areas need further quarantine and medical support and supplies. Gates further claimed that the US should have begun immediate testing in February to better track infection rates and prevent further spread of the coronavirus. He claimed South Korea had an excellent testing response and was able to provide immediate public health support and isolation protocols to stem the spread of the virus. Today South Korea is seeing a drop in the numbers of infected individuals and deaths.
Many believe that the Covid-19 infection rate may decline with the change in seasonal temperatures but remain concerned about infection rates in less developed countries such as Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia due to the fact that their recoveries may hinge on the recovery of the United States and other well developed countries that are currently dealing with the pandemic. As spring temperatures in the U.S. remain slightly cooler, an easing in the number of reported cases may start to appear with summer weather.
In the meantime, efforts are being made to acquire more test kits, medical supplies and medical staff to treat current patients and to put more preventative measures in place for coronavirus infection. Bill Gates further stated that The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is currently providing funds to produce test kits, therapeutics, and vaccines for the coronavirus and is currently coordinating with global efforts by private industries.
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American Side Note 
Great article!!
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