Weekly COVID-19 testing should be required for most workers as businesses reopen, UCSF doctor says
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- California has substantially increased testing capacity since early April, climbing up to 27th in the nation for COVID-19 testing, according to an ABC7 I-Team data analysis.
This week nearly 28,000 COVID-19 tests were administered across the state per one million people. That's an increase from roughly 21,000 tests reported last week and more than three times the rate reported last month.
RELATED: California making improvements in COVID-19 testing
To put it in perspective California ranked 46 nationally in early April.
"We're doing pretty well... but we have a long way to go," said UCSF emergency room doctor Jeanne Noble. "Especially as life starts to reopen."
California will enter phase two of reopening Monday, where many people will return to work.
"Please get tested if you're working," said Dr. Grant Colfax, the San Francisco Public Health Director.
RELATED: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the San Francisco Bay Area?
So how often should workers get tested? What's considered safe?
"If you are daily in contact with people who are sick... you need to be tested daily," said Noble. "If you're in contact with people who are not sick... then something like weekly testing is probably fine."
There are two questions you should answer:
1. Am I working in a place that has a high likelihood of disease?
"Testing should happen daily."
2. Am I working in a place with close proximity to other people?
"Testing should happen daily."
RELATED: Trump believes COVID-19 vaccine will be available by end of year
Dr. Noble said until there's a reliable vaccine getting tested once will never be good enough.
The expectation is "test- then test again."
"Your test is only good for the period of time for which you have no other exposure," Noble said.
What if we get another surge?
"If we have another outbreak... if we truly surge, then weekly testing would no longer be adequate," Noble said. "We have to keep doing this and redefining testing needs until we have a vaccine."
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: How close was CA to becoming a NY-level crisis?
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- How California's COVID-19 cases stack up against other hot spot states
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- List: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Bay Area?
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Asian American community
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on African American community
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Latino community
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
