The Kenosha County Division of Health would like to remind citizens of the following with regard to to getting tested for COVID-19:
Under guidelines from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, you will be given priority for testing if you fall into Tier 1 and Tier 2
Tier One:
• The patient is critically ill and receiving ICU level care with unexplained viral pneumonia or respiratory failure
• The patient is hospitalized (non-ICU) with fever or signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness (cough, shortness of breath)
• The patient has had known exposure to a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient
Tier Two:
• Hospitalized (non-ICU) patients and long-term care residents with unexplained fever AND signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory tract illness
• Health care workers with unexplained fever AND signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory tract illness, regardless of hospitalization
You will not be given priority if you fall into Tier 3 and Tier 4:
Tier Three:
• The patient is in an outpatient setting and meets the criteria for influenza testing. This includes individuals with co-morbid conditions including diabetes, COPD, congestive heart failure, age >50, immunocompromised hosts among others
• Health care workers with mild upper respiratory symptoms (rhinorrhea, congestion, sore throat) without fever
Tier Four:
• Other patients, as directed by public health or infection control authorities (e.g. community surveillance or public health investigations)
These patients will not be tested:
• Patients without symptoms
• Patients with mild upper respiratory symptoms only who are not health care workers
Anyone who has a question regarding COVID-19 self-care, dial 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 website, https://211wisconsin.communityos.org. This is a free, multilingual service available to all Kenosha County residents 24/7.