Immunocompromised LG Man Endures Coronavirus Test Delay: Report

LOS GATOS, CA — A Los Gatos man suffering from cystic fibrosis has endured a nearly two-week coronavirus testing delay, illustrating the challenges Santa Clara County and many other regions are confronting in trying to contain the pandemic, ABC 7 News reports.

Ricky Whicker, who is immunocompromised, has been self-isolating at his Los Gatos home since taking a coronavirus test.

He expressed his exasperation in an interview with ABC 7.

"I've been waiting 13 days for a result," Whicker said. "Trouble breathing, I've been sleeping 16 hours a day, and I've had achy joints."

Whicker’s test was conducted by a private health care provider, which usually takes longer to process than those conducted by a local lab such as Stanford, the report said.

The long wait times limits the effectiveness of testing.

“A turnaround time of a week or more doesn't really help the person being tested because they don't know their status," said county health officer Dr. Sara Cody, according to the report. "At that point, our ability to make a difference with case investigation and contact tracing has really evaporated.""

Read more at ABC 7 News