COVID-19 Testing Information for Health Care Providers There are currently no restrictions on who can be tested for COVID-19 as commercial testing is becoming more available. Health care providers may test any patient with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (i.e., fever, cough, shortness of breath). It is important to note that until testing supplies and laboratory capacity are widely available, the Department of Health and Human Services is asking providers to follow the below recommendations. Prioritize testing the following patients displaying COVID-19 symptoms: ● ● ● ● ● Patients hospitalized with severe lower respiratory signs and symptoms of illness Health care providers and workers Patients in other public safety occupations (e.g., law enforcement, firefighter, EMS) Patients involved in an illness cluster in a facility or institution (e.g., health care, schools, corrections, homeless/shelters, other institution/congregate setting) Until testing is more readily available, asymptomatic individuals should not be tested The following patients should contact their health provider immediately and be tested for COVID-19 if their symptoms worsen or their health care provider recommends testing: ● ● ● Patients older than 60 years of age Patients with underlying conditions Pregnant women Regardless of whether testing is performed or not, public health professionals should advise individuals to: ● ● ● ● Stay home except to get medical care Separate from other people and pets at home Practice proper hand hygiene Cover a cough and sneeze with clean single-use tissues ● ● ● Wear a facemask to reduce the spread of the virus at home, in a shared space and in a car Clean all surfaces that are touched frequently at least once a day Self-monitor symptoms ○ Promptly call health care providers if symptoms worsen https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html ○ Seek medical attention if respiratory infection symptoms/illness start worsening including, but not limited to: ■ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath ■ Persistent pain or pressure in the chest ■ New confusion or inability to arouse ■ Bluish lips or face Healthy individuals and younger individuals under the age of 60 with mild symptoms do not need to be tested A negative test result does not rule out the possibility of an infection. Guidance for individuals on when to discontinue self-isolation Individuals with symptoms who have tested positive for COVID-19 and/or confirmed to have it, and suspected cases who were directed to care for themselves at home, can discontinue home-isolation under the following conditions: A. At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery. Recovery is defined as: ● Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications ● Resolution of respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); B. At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared An individual can stop self-isolating when the above criteria have been met and no subsequent respiratory symptoms or illness have occurred. Reporting Reporting health care providers should immediately notify both infection control personnel at their facility and their local/state health department in the event of a person under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19. ● Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH): (775) 684-5911 (M-F 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM); (775)-400-0333 (after hours) ● Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD): (702) 759-1300 (24 hours) ● Washoe County Health District (WCHD): (775) 328-2447 (24 hours) ● Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS): (775) 887-2190 (M-F 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM); (775) 887-2190 (after hours) For More Information: Please contact DPBH M-F 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at (775) 684-5911. The afterhours line can be contacted at (775) 400-0333.