'Feeling sad and confused': Couple denied test were later found to have coronavirus
A Sydney woman has revealed she and her boyfriend were diagnosed with coronavirus after she was denied the opportunity to be tested despite reporting symptoms.
Alex Lewis, 24, and her boyfriend Ed had felt unwell for a number of days before they decided they should get tested for COVID-19.
“I had a bit of a cough, it was a very mild, dry cough,” she told ABC’s 7.30 program.
“And then I woke up the next morning with a full-blown flu. I had a headache, fever, chills, body ache. Exhaustion, that kind of thing.”
When the Sydney couple sought to get tested for the virus, they “were turned away”. They hadn’t met the Australian health department’s testing criteria of having been overseas or in contact with somebody who had been diagnosed.
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They went on with their lives as normal, including going to work, but three days later somebody they knew tested positive for coronavirus so they were then tested too.
It came back positive last week and they have been in isolation ever since.
"The first shock of being diagnosed was pretty intense, feeling sad and confused and worried for the people we had seen," Ms Lewis told 7.30.
"The fear of giving it to someone who is a little bit more vulnerable is definitely on our minds."
Who can get tested for coronavirus
According to the Australian Department of Health, a doctor will tell you to get tested if you meet the criteria.
This includes people who have returned overseas in the past 14 days and develop a respiratory illness with or without a fever.
People who have been in close contact with a confirmed coronavirus case in the past 14 days and then develop respiratory illness with or without fever are eligible for testing.
Those who have severe community-acquired pneumonia without a clear cause will also be eligible for testing, along with healthcare workers who directly work with patients and have a respiratory illness and fever.
The Department of Health says there is “a global shortage of the test kits that pathologists use to diagnose COVID-19”.
“This is why we are doing targeted testing instead of widespread testing,” the website says.
It can take a few days before test results come back but those with serious symptoms will be hospitalised and isolated from other patients.
Those well enough to go home while waiting for results must self-quarantine at home and not attend work or school.
They must cough and sneeze into their elbow and wash hands often with soap and water.
Those in isolation must wear a mask given to them by a doctor if they can’t avoid close contact with others and should avoid cooking for or caring for other people in the household.
People who have questions about testing for the virus should contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line by calling 1800 020 080.
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