Coronavirus: US doctor warns of test delays with results now taking more than a week

‘I’m really concerned that the number of positive cases in the community right now are extremely underestimated’

A doctor in Texas has suspended Covid-19 testing because of a delay in receiving results.

Dr Stephen Spain said he was unlikely to test any more people until the labs can sort out the delays, with it now taking over a week for the doctor to receive results.

He told KLTV that he initially thought it was going to be a quick turnaround for results, but that recently the labs have become slower.

“Initially we were encouraged because our turnaround time was 48 hours or just under 48 hours,” Mr Spain said. “Now we’re waiting over a week for test results.”

Mr Dr Spain, who has sent off 31 samples to two different labs, revealed to the station that he has had three positive results from 18 tests so far.

He is concerned that the high number of positive results is going to be reflected in the wider community and that he will have to stop testing in order to protect his practice.

“I’m really concerned that the number of positive cases in the community right now are extremely underestimated,” Mr Spain said.

“This virus is so highly contagious, I don’t know how long it will be before I can allow patients with respiratory symptoms to come in the front door of my office without being pre-screened for coronavirus,” he added.

Mr Spain admitted that with cases rising, in the next few weeks “it’s something practitioners and clinics everywhere are going to have to wrestle with.”

According to a tracking project hosted by Johns Hopkins University, upwards of 100,717 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the US. The death toll has reached at least 1,544.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended a two-week ban on gatherings of more than 50 people as part of the battle to contain the spread of the contagion.