How Do You Stop Coronavirus When There Aren’t Enough Tests?

If the coronavirus is going to be stopped or even slowed from spreading across Iowa and the rest of the nation, the ability to test citizens with symptoms is a must. But right now, KCRG reports that not everyone in Iowa with symptoms of COVID-19 is able to be tested.

One thing that has changed is that hospitals in Iowa no longer need to get approval from the Iowa Department of Public Health to administer a test. But they do still have to follow the guidelines set by the department and the State Hygienic Lab as to who gets one of the tests.

In order to get tested for coronavirus, you must meet one of the following:

• Hospitalized patient with fever and respiratory distress and no alternate diagnosis.
• Hospitalized adult 60 years of age and older, with fever and respiratory symptoms and a chronic medical condition.
• Any person with household contact with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Any person with a history of international travel or who has taken a cruise in the last 14 days.

The Iowa Department of Public Health and local hospitals say they're following those rules for one simple reason. They simply aren't enough tests for everyone that wants one or even enough for everyone with symptoms.

That my friends is a stat that should scare you, and show you that the number of cases out there is much higher than the ones being reported.