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State Sets Coronavirus Testing Protocols

Ohio Department of Health

State health officials are ready to start testing 400 patients showing possible coronavirus symptoms. 

Due to limited resources the state has created a protocol to determine who to prioritize for testing.  Four individuals are being held for testing and observation at state facilities or health centers. More from Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow.

Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton said the state will prioritize the most vulnerable people for COVID-19 testing this includes the elderly, people with a pre-existing condition, and health care workers.

Acton says the state wants to be as transparent as possible with their testing protocols.

 

Acton: "People are confused and in order for us to address this as a state we really need to get the best information out there."

 

The next level of testing is for people who are displaying coronavirus symptoms, hospitalized with a fever and who either come into close contact with someone confirmed with having COVID-19, recently traveled to an affected area, or lacks another diagnosis.

 

The final route is for a test to be ordered by a primary care physician.

 

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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