No Coronavirus Test For Mild Symptoms: Iredell Health Department

MOORESVILLE, NC — Iredell County residents who have mild coronavirus symptoms do not need testing and should stay home and recover instead of seeking one, the Iredell County Health Department said Wednesday evening.

The change in testing recommendation comes as pressure continues to ramp up on healthcare resources statewide amid the ongoing outbreak of novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, there were at least 576 cases and two deaths reported in North Carolina, according to Johns Hopkins University, up from 297 positive cases reported Monday morning. In Iredell County, at least 11 cases have been confirmed.

“We must do all we can to protect our health care workers and first responders. We are only at the beginning of community transmission. These critical services are necessary to protect the health and safety of others,” Jane Hinson, Iredell County Health Director, said in a statement.

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“With mild symptoms, the treatment is focused on symptom management. Having a positive test does not change this management,” ICHD said in a statement. “Even coming out to be tested may spread illness to others in the community, including those at higher risk of complications and health care workers. People not infected could become so when seeking testing.”

Instead, anyone who exhibits mild symptoms should self-isolate in their home for at least seven days from the onset of symptoms, and 72 hours after symptom resolution, such as the absence of fever without the use of medication, county health officials said.

See more: NC’s First Coronavirus Death Reported In Charlotte Metro

Should symptoms get worse, however, medical attention should be sought, ICHD advised.

“If someone with mild symptoms who is self-isolating at home starts having shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, altered thinking or bluish or grayish colored skin, nails or lips, they should receive medical treatment immediately,” ICHD said. “The health department advises anyone self-isolating at home to tell your medical provider (call before going), 911 and all first responders that you are worried that you might have the virus that causes COVID-19. This gives them the opportunity to use the appropriate personal protective equipment before providing you care.”

Globally, more than 460,000 people have been infected and more than 20,800 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Wednesday afternoon. Of that total, more than 62,800 confirmed cases are in the United States. At least 894 deaths in the U.S. have been tied to the virus outbreak, as of the afternoon of March 25.

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