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Information for Health Care Providers
Maine CDC Health Advisory
March 5, 2020
Updated COVID-19 Testing Criteria
On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) expanded the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing criteria to a wider group of symptomatic patients. A patient who is suspected of having COVID-19 must wear a surgical mask as soon as they are identified and be evaluated in a private room with the door closed, ideally an airborne infection isolation room if available. Health care personnel entering the room should use standard precautions, contact precautions, airborne precautions, and use eye protection (e.g., goggles or a face shield). If providers suspect their patient of having COVID-19, they should immediately notify their health care facility's infection control personnel and Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821.
In the case of a patient suspected of having COVID-19, specimens must be sent to Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL). Health care providers should remind all patients being tested for COVID-19 to remain isolated until test results are back and are negative.
