Delaware Testing Plan

Governor John Carney, along with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), announced on Friday, March 20 a coordinated statewide plan to ensure individuals with symptoms consistent with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have access to safe and efficient testing in Delaware. The plan was rolled out the week of Monday, March 23.

Through a collaborative effort between the Division of Public Health (DPH), Delaware Healthcare Association, and each of the health care systems in the state, this statewide plan aims to streamline the testing process, reduce the burden on the health system, ensure the safety of patients and health care workers, and better meet the COVID-19 testing needs of Delawareans.

• FAQ: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Testing
• Governor Carney, DHSS announce Statewide COVID-19 Testing Plan in Coordination with Delaware Health Care Systems (March 20, 2020)

 

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Testing Requirements

If you have a doctor: Symptomatic individuals must be referred for testing by a health care provider. Teleconsultation is preferred. An order or prescription from a licensed health care provider is required (*Bayhealth patients will be pre-screened via phone without needing to see a provider first).

If you don’t have a doctor: Call the DPH Call Center at 1-866-408-1899, or dial 7-1-1 for individuals with a hearing impairment and medical personnel will determine if the caller meets criteria for testing.

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Symptoms

Fever (100 degrees+) AND cough OR difficulty breathing

Things to know: Individuals who have symptoms should stay at home. Many individuals infected with COVID-19 recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids and taking pain and fever-reducing medications. It’s important to be aware of your symptoms and take precautions. In some cases, illness can be severe and require hospitalization.

If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and make sure to let the dispatcher know what symptoms you are experiencing.

Are my symptoms COVID-19 related, or Flu-related?

COVID-19 symptoms include a fever AND a cough OR shortness of breath. Sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, diarrhea are rare or not experienced by people with COVID-19.

On the other hand, flu symptoms are typically fever, fatigue, cough, aches and pains, headaches, and sometimes runny/stuffy nose, sometimes a sore throat, sometimes diarrhea, and never shortness of breath.

 

 

 

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Testing Locations

 

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If you don’t have symptoms

• No need to go to the emergency room; it’s important to preserve ER resources and avoid unnecessarily exposing vulnerable people to the virus.

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If you may have been exposed, but don’t have symptoms

• Stay home and make sure to distance yourself from vulnerable populations.

• Monitor your symptoms to see if anything changes.

*If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and make sure to let the dispatcher know what symptoms you are experiencing.*

 

What is the difference between “quarantine” and “isolation”?

Both quarantine and isolation help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

• Quarantine: Separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
• Isolation: Separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

 

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Additional Resources