Several individuals across Iowa are being tested for COVID-19, including in our listening area.

Greene County Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Line says they have a limited number of test kits available and outlines who will be given priority to be tested for the virus.

“What we want to do is limit testing to those that we feel truly have exposure to the virus and are sick from it. A lot of people are going to want testing because they think they might have it and they do have symptoms. As the virus is starting to spread throughout the community that’s going to be a lot of people, and the more that people become sick, it’s really going to stress our testing supply.”

Dr. Line points out what people should be focusing on within Greene County in preparation of the virus.

“That it is likely to be spread throughout the community and that we all need to take appropriate precautions when we think that we are becoming ill. If we have fever, headaches, cough, congestion, shortness of breath, we should act as if we have the virus, whether we qualify for testing or not.”

Dr. Line adds, everyone should be following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Governor Kim Reynolds’ proclamation in practicing social distancing by keeping at least six-feet apart from others, staying home if sick and not being in groups of more than ten people. Anyone who is experiencing the 2019 novel coronavirus symptoms is asked to contact their healthcare provider for further screening questions.