Connecticut hospitals could set up virus testing sites
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's largest hospitals are considering setting up alternative sites or “triage centers” to screen for the new coronavirus away from emergency rooms as the state works to dramatically expand its testing capabilities, officials said Friday.
While there are no confirmed cases in Connecticut yet of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont said such steps are being taken to plan for what state health officials have predicted could be similar to a bad flu season.
“So far, no sign of an infection yet in this state. But let's face it, we're surrounded by states that do have isolated examples of this,” Lamont said at a news conference at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, surrounded by doctors. “But we ought to be prepared for what we've got going forward.”
Dr. John Rodis, the hospital's president, said there are efforts to set up locations around Connecticut, possibly in tents and offices, where people with symptoms such as a fever, cough and shortness of breath could be screened, evaluated and isolated. They would be similar to triage centers or fever centers set up in places like China, Australia and Canada to help prevent the spread of the disease.
“This is very preliminary,” Rodis said. “We're happy to work with the rest of these state agencies and health care systems to develop such a system."
Meanwhile, Connecticut officials expect specimen testing will soon be conducted at private labs and major hospitals, in addition to the Department of Public Health State Laboratory in Rocky Hill.
Josh Geballe, Lamont's chief operating officer, said that will enable more groups of people to be tested. Currently, people who have been admitted to the hospital with severe symptoms and those who have returned from hard-hit countries who have started to show symptoms are being prioritized for testing.
Connecticut is also expecting more test kits from the federal government, he said. The state currently has one kit that has the capacity to test 500-600 people. Patients should still contact their physicians to determine whether they need testing. Geballe said people should not go to retail private labs and ask to be tested.
Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Renée Coleman-Mitchell said the state health lab has tested 12 people as of Friday, with all tests coming back negative. Public Health spokesman Av Harris said another 11 people are awaiting results.
Coleman-Mitchell also said 154 people in the state are self-monitoring for symptoms.
“Our overall public health risk for Connecticut residents still remains low for COVID-19,” she said.
Dr. Matthew Cartter, the state epidemiologist, said the outbreaks in the U.S. will likely look like a “really bad flu season” that will last up to four months.
Meanwhile, the American Athletic Conference has asked teams participating in this weekend's women's basketball tournament at the Mohegan Sun to forego the traditional post-game handshake line. UConn coach Geno Auriemma said he thinks that may be taking precautions a bit too far.
“I don't think shaking hands is going to be the game-changer there at the end of the game,” he said.
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Associated Press writers Dave Collins and Pat Eaton Robb contributed to this report.
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This story has been corrected to say the state health lab has tested 12 people, not 24.