Frequently Asked Questions:
COVID-19

 

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience more than four weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Older people and those who have certain underlying medical conditions are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

How do you test for it?

Coast Diagnostics utilizes advanced real-time PCR testing technology to detect SARS-CoV-2 with 100% targeted specificity of currently available complete genomes. This means that we are able to detect and differentiate between all currently known variants of COVID-19.

What are the symptoms?

People infected with COVID-19 (or variants of COVID-19) have reported a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. For a full and updated list, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Can someone test negative and later test positive for COVID-19?

Yes, it is possible. You may test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then. Even if you test negative, you still should take steps to protect yourself and others.

How can I protect myself from COVID-19?

According to the CDC, the following precautionary measures can be taken in order to protect yourself and others:

  • Get Vaccinated

  • Wear a mask

  • Stay 6 feet away from others

  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces

  • Wash your hands often

  • Cover coughs and sneezes

  • Clean and disinfect

  • Monitor your health daily

How long does it take to receive test results from Coast Diagnostics?

For patients who are tested at our facility, we strive to deliver results within 24-48 hours from the time the sample is collected. Factors such as testing volume, testing method, and time of collection can affect result times. Speak with your doctor or a representative at our lab before being tested to get an approximate turnaround time.

For patients who are tested at another facility, times can vary depending on when Coast receives the sample from the facility. We strive to process these samples within no more than 24 hours of receiving the samples.