Why All Mainers Can't Get A COVID-19 Test, What To Do If You Can'

According to the Bangor Daily News, Maine doctors are following very strict criteria for who gets tested for COVID-19. The reason is that Maine was only given enough supplies from the goverment to test 1,000 people and we are running out of the swabs needed for the test.

Doctors are testing patients who have had the most significant exposure to the virus.

Those most likely to be tested:

People who have travelled or have been around someone who recently has
Someone who has been around someone else with a confirmed case of COVID-19
The most vulnerable who show flu-like symptoms; such as the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and those with chronic illnesses

At first only international travelers were being tested, but that has broadened to those traveling within the U.S. who show symptoms, especially those who fly.

If you have been sick and feel like you should be tested but you don't meet the criteria, according to the CDC the best thing you can do is to self-quarantine for two weeks. You should also self-quarantine if you are awaiting Coronavirus testing results. There is a 2 to 3 day turn around to get test results, but sometimes longer because the system is overloaded.

If you have tested negative and you just have a terrible cold it is important for you to quarentine anyway. If you pass it along to someone else they too may have to be tested and quarentine.

Social distancing is the number one thing we can do to slow the spread of COVID-19.