Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Sept 12, 2024 3:20:32 GMT
COVID-19 test shortage hits Clay County clinic amid rising demand - Published Sept 11, 2024
Some bad advice ahead, but it's what the CDC is pushing, so...
By Anne Sara Bien-Aime
There are two new variants of COVID-19, and if you're having trouble breathing, a fever, a severe cold or feeling fatigued, health officials suggest seeking medical attention.
MOORHEAD — A Moorhead clinic is experiencing a shortage of COVID-19 test kits.
Requests for at-home test kits have increased since early August, says Cheryl Sapp, a public health nurse with Clay County Public Health. Now, their inventory is low, but they plan to have more available by Thursday, Sept. 12.
With so many at-home test kits, she says the state's Department of Health is not able to track cases to determine the reason for the demand.
Sapp said there are two new variants of the COVID-19 virus making the rounds nationwide. If you're having trouble breathing, a fever, a severe cold or feeling fatigued, Sapp said you should seek medical attention.
"It's difficult to guess whether if it is COVID or influenza or the common cold, generally with the common cold you don't usually run a fever, but with COVID and influenza, you most likely would," Sapp said.
If you’ve been exposed to COVID, Sapp suggested isolating yourself and monitoring your symptoms.
As long as you're fever free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication, she said you do not have to isolate for 10 days, but you should wear a mask for five days after recovery.
Some bad advice ahead, but it's what the CDC is pushing, so...
By Anne Sara Bien-Aime
There are two new variants of COVID-19, and if you're having trouble breathing, a fever, a severe cold or feeling fatigued, health officials suggest seeking medical attention.
MOORHEAD — A Moorhead clinic is experiencing a shortage of COVID-19 test kits.
Requests for at-home test kits have increased since early August, says Cheryl Sapp, a public health nurse with Clay County Public Health. Now, their inventory is low, but they plan to have more available by Thursday, Sept. 12.
With so many at-home test kits, she says the state's Department of Health is not able to track cases to determine the reason for the demand.
Sapp said there are two new variants of the COVID-19 virus making the rounds nationwide. If you're having trouble breathing, a fever, a severe cold or feeling fatigued, Sapp said you should seek medical attention.
"It's difficult to guess whether if it is COVID or influenza or the common cold, generally with the common cold you don't usually run a fever, but with COVID and influenza, you most likely would," Sapp said.
If you’ve been exposed to COVID, Sapp suggested isolating yourself and monitoring your symptoms.
As long as you're fever free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication, she said you do not have to isolate for 10 days, but you should wear a mask for five days after recovery.