OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – COVID-19 circumstances are on the rise in Oklahoma once more as the state’s newest weekly common of positive tests are 9,561, however that whole doesn’t embrace at-home testing.
Samina Cypert advised KFOR she lately examined positive for COVID after collaborating in a Fourth of July parade.
“I was really weak. You know, I kept trying to fill up on electrolytes. I tried to just rest it off at home, you know, because I thought it was heat exhaustion,” mentioned Cypert.
Cypert mentioned she usually experiences warmth exhaustion yearly, however this time was totally different as a result of she wasn’t getting any higher and her eyes felt like they have been going to come out of her head.
“My eyes have never hurt like that, and so when I Googled what makes your eyeballs hurt, it’s like Google said it was a common symptom of COVID,” added Cypert.
Cypert mentioned she had one at-home package for COVID left, so she instantly used it after studying what she discovered on the net.
“It was positive,” she mentioned.
“From there, I contacted my doctor. I made an appointment for that following Monday because I took the test on a Saturday at home, and so on Monday my doctor got me and took another COVID test. It was positive and they reported it to the state,” acknowledged Cypert.
Cypert’s “official” positive check now provides to the day by day common of 1,365.9 positive circumstances in Oklahoma, however Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Public Information Officer, Erica Rankin advised KFOR that official quantity doesn’t embrace at-home testing.
News 4 known as the OSDH COVID-19 Call Center to search out out the place one can report their at-home check that got here again positive.
The consultant on the different line first mentioned she didn’t know and transferred the name to another person.
The subsequent consultant then advised KFOR, “You just call it in, but they’re probably going to, as far as a positive test, a home test kit, he’ll probably want you to get tested again even though you did test positive. You’ll have to get one from a doctor or someplace that is certified to do it. You’ll have to go there to get one.”
The consultant went on to say the state well being division might doc the name, however to have the positive case “registered,” it could have to be carried out via a doctor.
“If someone does seek out a clinical test performed through a medical provider, that would be reported to OSDH through the provider that performed the test,” mentioned Rankin.
In a press release despatched to News 4 from the Oklahoma State Department of Health says,
“As far as reporting at-home tests, at this time, our reports do not include any home testing results, either those incidentally reported to us or to CDC. Reporting of the results is not necessary due to the test accuracy itself, but because we cannot verify who the test was conducted on nor how the specimen was collected.”
Erica Rankin, Public Information Officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Health
Rankin mentioned if somebody does check positive on an at-home check, it’s beneficial they follow current quarantine and isolation guidance. If an individual chooses to take action, they will additionally search out a confirmatory PCR check.
OSDH additionally claims to not have had individuals name the state about their at-home check results.
“Home tests are not reported to us,” Rankin mentioned. “If an individual was to call in their positive result, we would advise them follow recommended quarantine and isolation guidance.”
OSDH recommends testing in the event you really feel sick, that may be with an at-home check, a fast level of care check or a PCR check.
If an at-home check is positive, a person “should take the test result seriously and follow isolation and quarantine guidance. As always, the PCR test is the gold standard. When conducting home tests, it is important to make sure the test is administered correctly and all directions are properly followed.”
The name middle consultant additionally mentioned in the event you select not to get a second check via a doctor, “You can either just isolate or quarantine three to five days if you’re having symptoms.”
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