State guidelines to doctors concerning who is recommended for COVID-19 testing

Press release from Alachua County

There is a great deal of confusing and inaccurate information on social media about who is being tested. Here are the State guidelines:

SCREENING CRITERIA

1. If your patient is exhibiting symptoms of acute lower respiratory illness (e.g., fever, cough, and shortness of breath) and meets one or more of the following criteria:

2. Persons who have had a close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case

3. Persons hospitalized with acute lower respiratory illness of unknown origin

4. History of travel to or from an affected geographic area with widespread community transmission

5. History of international travel or a cruise

6. 65 years old or older with chronic health conditions

7. Immunocompromised persons

EXPANDED CRITERIA

If your patient does not meet the above criteria, testing may occur based on clinician’s judgement.

1. The health care provider is responsible for specimen collection, handling and shipping. Please follow CDC guidance and use proper PPE.

2. Collected specimens should be processed within your health care facility or a commercial laboratory (e.g., LabCorp and Quest).

3. Follow CDC guidance for specimen collection, handling and shipping.

TESTING

If individual meets criteria for testing, wear appropriate PPE and initiate contact and airborne precautions.

1. The health care provider is responsible for specimen collection, handling and shipping. Please follow CDC guidance.

2. Collected specimens should be processed within your health care facility, if available; a commercial laboratory (e.g., LabCorp and Quest); or a Florida Bureau of Public Health Laboratory (BPHL)

3. Before sending specimens to BPHL, notify your local county health department CHD Epidemiology Contacts.

4. Health care providers may consult local county health departments for additional guidance as needed.