Author Topic: What it's like testing people for COVID  (Read 1553 times)

infromsea

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What it's like testing people for COVID
« on: March 18, 2020, 03:38:22 PM »
Ok, lots of noise out there.

My wife is an MA who has "moved up" to the office manager for 4 primary care docs, small place, one office in a network of about 80 offices, small potatoes in this area where we have Sentera and a couple of other "big guys" with tons of docs and specialists etc.

Since she's a trained MA and we don't have younger kids, are both in good health, both mid 40's etc. she is the one doing the testing at her office.

They tested one person LAST THURSDAY and, due to insurance, had to send the sample to lab 1. Lab 1 does not run the test, they sent it to lab 2 (Labcorp). It's not almost 7 days later and NO result.

The local "big guy" (Sentera) setup drive in sampling BUT, wife tells me they are almost out of testing materials (Hampton Roads area, pop = just shy of 1/2 mil souls).

I told her to take her sampling materials (she has about 40 units) to the drive up test location, toss em out the window and drive off!

Updates to follow. Wife is on the way home, we have her going to shed, dropping clothes, putting on gloves and robe, putting clothes in bag, she goes to shower, clothes to wash, etc. etc. etc.

Fun times!

John Galt incarnate!

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Re: What it's like testing people for COVID
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2020, 04:29:10 PM »
Today's reportage included something about a DIY, virus test kit.

A person swabs their nasal passage and then mails the swab to a lab for analysis.

Morning Glory

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Re: What it's like testing people for COVID
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2020, 05:25:11 PM »
Today's reportage included something about a DIY, virus test kit.

A person swabs their nasal passage and then mails the swab to a lab for analysis.
I doubt people would stick the swab in far enough to get an accurate test.

infromsea

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Re: What it's like testing people for COVID
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2020, 05:49:27 PM »
I hope the self test works/takes off but I too have doubts about the efficacy and peoples ability to self-test, I suspect a large number of false negatives with this method...

As it stands, the backlog is the testing lab.

Wife finally got results from last thursday's test (NEG, yeah!) but no results from 3 days ago.

Today, she texted and asked me to prep for her coming home (means she tested someone at work). I open all doors and have her go to shed, strip down, put on robe, come in shower up and put clothes in wash on way in, I wipe down every surface you can imagine, she takes 20 minute hot shower, nerve wracking in the least (and this is probably why health care workers are going down in higher numbers than expected, stress etc.). Wife was in a tizzy, patient came in, didn't call ahead and notify, if she had, they would have "suited up" in full gear and met them at car, not exposing office to them. This patient comes in, does the usual "Check in" and pre-doc stuff and only after the doc has been talking to them for 5 minutes, only then do they explain their supervisor was on a cruise with two known positives and the patient works in a small office with said supervisor...

I am thankful that I'm FIRE and think this kind of crap may lead the wife to join me.

BikeFanatic

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Re: What it's like testing people for COVID
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2020, 05:53:36 PM »
Anyone who works in healthcare right now is heroic.

Cassie

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Re: What it's like testing people for COVID
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2020, 11:08:30 AM »
Info, I am definitely too anxious to work in the medical field. What a tough time for them.

BikeFanatic

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Re: What it's like testing people for COVID
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2020, 09:29:09 AM »
I heard there is a new test where you do not have to stick the Q tip all the way in and you spit into a cup as well, coming soon I hope, then anyone can do the test. Accuracy though is an issue with some tests, we need a home test kit with accuracy.

JoJo

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Re: What it's like testing people for COVID
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2020, 10:54:46 AM »
I'm getting messages from both my current and prior doctors that they're doing antibody testing now.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!