The coronavirus infection continues to spread regardless of the preventive measures taken by countries in the early days of the pandemic. One of the most vital steps that can stop further transmission is widespread testing for coronavirus. This is to keep track of new infections and plan strategies on how to stop spread beforehand.
In the past few weeks, the need for testing has gone up even further. This is due to a number of reasons such as the end of the first lockdown. Even though lockdown prevented millions of more cases in the US and elsewhere in the world, the cases are rapidly rising again.
Since fewer people are not taking the preventive measures seriously, there are spikes in all major US states. For instance, Florida, Texas, and Arizona are currently experiencing a big increase in new coronavirus cases. This is why testing for coronavirus is essential as it is more likely to spread now that businesses are open.
Furthermore, the US presidential elections to be held in November have paved the way for political rallies. The gatherings, specifically for the re-election of the current president of the US, Donald Trump, have higher chances of transmitting the coronavirus.
Secondly, there have also been gatherings and protests around the US for BLM or Black Lives Matter movement. The protests began after the murder of George Floyd in the city of Minneapolis in Minnesota. Several of thousands of people gathered to speak against the killings of Black people and police brutality in the country.
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Therefore, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Redfield, asked people as well as members of Congress to get testing for coronavirus if they have participated in the BLM protests.
However, even though testing for coronavirus is highly encouraged, it can be a challenge for many people. For most people, the accurate time frame in which a test should be done is rather confusing. This is because health experts are themselves divided on when should testing for coronavirus be done.
Initially, some experts suggested that waiting three to four days is enough time for coronavirus test. However, many, including associate dean for public health sciences at the UC Davis School of Medicine, Bradly Pollock now suggest waiting for at least seven days.
Figuring out whether one needs testing for coronavirus or not is fairly easy. According to the professor of epidemiology at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health, Anne Rimoin, it is common sense.
Any gathering that includes large crowds of people can increase the risk of coronavirus transmission. Social distancing in political rallies and protests is difficult, so coronavirus spread in them is also likely.
In addition, the rule applies to both indoor and outdoor gatherings. When deciding to get tested, think about whether the gathering followed rules of social distancing, were there any people with symptoms of coronavirus, and whether the area the gathering was held in has a high number of cases.
There are a number of options if the final decision is to get tested. More and more community centers, hospitals, along with coronavirus facility centers are offering tests. Testing places can be found easily with a quick search on the internet.
However, some places may have rules and the testing may only be available to those who display symptoms. In such cases, FDA-authorized home tests can also be acquired and used. Home-kits for testing for coronavirus are as accurate as conventional testing.
