COVID-19 (coronavirus) Testing Information
Released MARCH 4, 2020 12:00 PM - San Miguel County medical centers including the Telluride Regional Medical Center and the Uncompahgre Medical Center have the equipment needed to perform COVID-19 (coronavirus) testing and are working on safety procedures to perform the tests and to help keep staff safe.
NOTE: Testing is NOT necessary if you simply have a cough or have traveled to a country or region on the CDC’s list of affected geographic areas.
Testing may be recommended by your physician based on CDC and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment protocols which require one of the following scenarios:
a) Fever or respiratory symptoms and recently has had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient.
b) Fever or respiratory symptoms, without alternative explanatory diagnosis and a history of recent travel to the CDC’s list of affected geographic areas.
c) Hospitalized patients with respiratory illness, e.g., pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and without alternative explanatory diagnosis.
For multiple safety reasons, per health protocols, these tests are not administered at the medical centers, but off-site, possibly at a patient’s home. Tests are then sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment lab for processing.
Please do NOT call your medical provider requesting to be tested unless you meet one of the guidelines referenced above.
Finding More Information
For more information including workplace, school, and travel guidance, please visit: CDC.GOV
To speak with a public health representative regarding the coronavirus, contact the Colorado Health Emergency Line for the Public (COHELP) at 1-877-462-2911 or 303-389-1687.
The San Miguel County Department of Health and Environment is prepared to promptly identify a suspected case of the novel coronavirus and implement appropriate measures with its partners to help prevent any additional spread of illness in the county.
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