Despite a slow start, it seems that testing supplies and availability are gradually improving. In addition to the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) and Southern Nevada Public Health Laboratory, Quest Laboratories, LabCorp and several other commercial and hospital-based labs are currently well-equipped to conduct a large number of COVID-19 RT-PCR tests in a timely manner.
As COVID-19 laboratory testing capacity is improving in Nevada, and the state continues to prepare for incremental steps to ease social distancing measures, steps need to be taken to allow for more testing. Increasing the number of diagnostic COVID-19 RT-PCR laboratory testing is essential to early detect and isolate cases (patients with positive test results), and promptly identify and quarantine all contacts (individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 case).
This technical bulletin outlines criteria for clinicians considering testing patients who present with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
For more information, guidance and resources about the COVID-19 response in Nevada, visit https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/.