COVID-19

COVID-19(Coronavirus)
(Coronavirus)
Module One: Screening & Testing Transcript

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Module One: Screening & Testing

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Objectives
After completing this Module, learners will have the opportunity to:
Identify the organism type and mode of transmission for Coronavirus 2019, COVID-19
Describe who is at greatest risk for COVID-19 and the most common signs and symptoms.
List components of the screening process, including screening questions.
And Identify the nasopharyngeal testing procedure for COVID-19.

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More information about COVID-19.

Coronarviruses consist of a group of a variety of viruses.
The name of the specific Virus involved w/ COVID-19 is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
The name of the disease it causes is Coronavirus Disease 2019, which we have come to know as (COVID-19).
The mode of transmission for COVID-19, which is the method in which the infectious agent reaches a susceptible person,
is through close exposure with a person infected with COVID-19. This occurs mainly through respiratory droplets caused
by coughing or sneezing.
COVID-19 can cause a range of symptoms. Ranging from mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses to severe respiratory
syndromes.

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Patient Assessment- Who is at Risk? The persons at risk of getting COVID-19 are those with prolonged, unprotected, and
close contact with infected person(s). These also include residents of or individuals who have recently traveled to areas
with sustained transmission.
The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, maintains a current list of countries with a Level 3 travel health notice. This
Level 3 travel health notice defines countries that are currently having widespread ongoing transmission of COVID-19.
Some of these countries include; Canada, Chile, India, China, parts of Europe, as well as parts of the United Kingdom.
Individuals who are at risk of getting severe disease from COVID-19, include individuals who are 65 or older, residents of
a nursing home or long-term care facility, and individuals with high-risk conditions. These conditions can include things
such as chronic lung disease or asthma, heart disease with complications, individuals who are immunocompromised,
including those on chemotherapy, individuals with severe obesity or other underlying medical conditions. These
underlying medical conditions typically include things that are not well controlled, such as diabetes, liver disease, or
renal failure. People who are pregnant should also be monitored, since pregnant individuals are known to be at risk with
severe viral illness. However, to date, data on COVID-19 has not shown an increased risk for pregnant individuals.

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 COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Patient Risk Screening Tool

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Patient Assessment- Symptoms
Severity of symptoms with COVID-19 can range from mild to severe. These symptoms can include, non-specific
symptoms, such as cold or flu-like symptoms, pneumonia, respiratory failure, organ failure, or even death. It is
important to remember that some individuals may be asymptomatic, or have no symptoms at all.
Signs and symptoms can appear two to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms that should be watched for include Fever (of
100 or higher F) cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Other symptoms may include tiredness, aches,
running nose, and a sore throat.

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Screening procedures for COVID-19. It is important to maintain a cautious approach when caring for persons under
investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19.
If possible, persons are requested to call beforehand to inform triage personnel of respiratory symptoms, such as a
cough, sore throat, or fever.
Keep in mind that some people with COVID-19 can recover at home.
Instruct those recovering at home to stay home, and seek medical care if symptoms worsen*
Worsening symptoms can include, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, trouble breathing, new confusion or an
inability to awaken or arouse, and bluish lips or face.

Other important concepts to consider when screening for COVID-19. If patients need to be seen in the healthcare
setting, keep the following in mind; Prioritize patients with respiratory symptoms, perform source control (in other
words, place a facemask over symptomatic patients), provide supplies for respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette,
including a separate disposal that does not need to be touched, tissues, and an alcohol-based hand rub that is 60% or
greater in alcohol content. Isolate patients in a separate examination room with the door closed. If a separate
examination space is not available, it is important to ensure that the patient is not allowed to wait among other patients
that are seeking care. Do your best to provide a separate space, that is well ventilated and allows for at least 6 feet or
more of distance between other patients that are seeking care. Again, provide easy access to respiratory hygiene
supplies. Patients may choose to wait in a personal vehicle, or outside the healthcare facility and contact triage a
personnel member by phone.
You also want to ask about any new onset of respiratory symptoms during the daily assessment of patients.
Look for new signs of respiratory illness and fever.

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Screening is intended to determine risk level NOT diagnosis or treat COVID-19.

Results of screening are used to determine most appropriate care recommendations.

Screening Questions for COVID-19. Screening questions include, asking about recent travel to high-risk areas or contact
w/someone who has had recent travel, asking about contact with someone with a confirmed case, inquiring about
symptoms of COVID-19, and also asking about high-risk factors. For more information please refer to the COVID-19
screening tool located in this module.

Please refer to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Interactive Map, for a user-friendly tool to track the outbreak as it unfolds.

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 COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Patient Risk Screening Tool

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Testing for COVID-19. The decision to test is at the discretion of local and state health departments and/or clinicians.
The testing procedure for COVID-19 is a Nasopharyngeal swab, also known as a deep nasal swab. If the test is positive,
then people may home isolate or require medical care at a healthcare facility.
CDC guidelines should be followed to determine when a person can discontinue home isolation.
CDC guidelines should also be followed when reporting a case of COVID-19. Please refer to the deep nasal swab
specimen collection document and checklist located in this module.
If the test is negative, then it is likely the person was not infected when the specimen was collected. However, it does
NOT mean that the person will not get sick. CDC guidelines should be used to instruct persons on what to do to protect
themselves and others from getting sick such as, washing their hands often, and avoiding close contact with those that
are sick. They should also be instructed on what to do when they feel sick. CDC guidelines can also be utilized for these
instructions. Steps to take to protect others can include; staying home when individuals feel sick, except for when to
seek medical care. Covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

Please note that Other testing methods for COVID-19 will be made available in the future.

References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March 19a).
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) in Healthcare Settings. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-
control/control-recommendations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-
ncov%2Fhcp%2Finfection-control.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March 22b).
Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/faq.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March 21c).
Testing for COVID- 19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March 16d).
Discontinuation of Home Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 (Interim Guidance).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March 21e).
Information for Health Departments on Reporting Cases of COVID -19.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/reporting-pui.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March 25f).
What to do if you are sick. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-
sick.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fsteps-when-
sick.html
Mayo Clinic. (2020).
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-
causes/syc-20479963

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