COVID-19 – BE A RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY MEMBER - Garrett County Health Department

TESTING TODAY FOR COVID-19 IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT SOUNDS. TEST KITS AND MATERIALS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY. LABS ARE UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE NATIONWIDE DEMAND. TEST RESULTS CAN TAKE A WEEK OR LONGER, EVEN FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS. AS A COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE TESTING FOR OUR SICKEST MEMBERS AND ALSO FOR THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES TAKING CARE OF THE ILL. NOT EVERYONE NEEDS A COVID-19 SPECIMEN COLLECTION. THE SICKER YOU ARE, THE MORE LIKELY YOU SHOULD BE TESTED FOR COVID-19. GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU START TO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY BREATHING, PERSISTENT PAIN OR PRESSURE IN THE CHEST, CONFUSION, DIFFICULTY STAYING ALERT OR BLUISH COLOR IN THE LIPS OR FACE. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OVER THE PHONE TO DETERMINE IF YOUR CASE REQUIRES COVID-19 TESTING. PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO CONSERVE RESOURCES. YOU CAN ALSO ASSESS YOUR SYMPTOMS USING THE CDC’S CORONAVIRUS SELF-CHECKER AT CORONAVIRUS.GOV.