Coronavirus tests available in McLean County

Photo courtesy to the CDC

NORMAL, Ill.- At this time the specimen collection is done in McLean County by healthcare providers and testing is done at the State Public Health Labs for anyone that meets CDC criteria.

There have been less than five individuals tested for COVID-19 in McLean County as of March 12.

The McLean County Health Department is actively monitoring any individuals they are aware of that are at high risk for exposure to COVID-19.

According to the CDC, clinical laboratories with McLean County that perform these routine diagnostic tests on serum, stool, blood or urine specimens should follow standard laboratory practices, including Standard Precautions, when handling potential COVID-19 patient specimens.

McLean County Communication Specialist Dion McNeal stated in an email, “We are encouraging anyone that has traveled recently to the level 3 countries to reach out to their local health department for more information on self-quarantining, symptoms and what to do if they develop symptoms.”

Those include:

• China
• Iran
• South Korea
• Europe
• Venezuela

There is a plan in place to test more widely in McLean County.

However, commercial labs do not have the capacity to test specimens for COVID-19, but McLean County is working towards that.

“We understand that people may be concerned and want to be tested,” said Assistant Administrator at the McLean County Health Department Cathy Coverston-Anderson. “However, testing continues to be prioritized at this time due to limited resources.”