NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — People getting tested for COVID-19 can now know their results a lot sooner. In just five minutes, you could know if you have the virus.
Tennessee received its first, small shipment of the five-minute tests on Tuesday. Health officials are expecting the tests to become a main part of their supply chain starting later this week.
These point of care tests are also known as the Abbott Tests. They were given emergency approval by the FDA last month.
It will give positive COVID-19 results in five minutes. If you don’t have it, the test takes 13 minutes to give results.
These types of tests have already been available at some private clinics. For example, Walgreens will begin using them soon and American Family Care has begun using them in Spring Hill.
American Family Care is offering the test at their Spring Hill, Smyrna, Nashville South, Indian Lake and Providence locations. All testing is by appointment only and you must fill out this questionnaire first.
So far, Tennessee has tested 53,000 people over the past month.
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See all our coronavirus coverage here
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
