Why don’t people with COVID-19 symptoms get tested?
Researchers of Boston Children's Hospital and colleagues from King's College London identified mild symptoms, lack of awareness about local test centres, and certain demographic factors as barriers to COVID-19 testing.
The COVID-19 public health response includes testing, even as countries unveil vaccination campaigns. In the UK, people with a fever, a new, persistent cough, or a change in their sense of smell or taste can get a free PCR COVID-19 test. However, over a quarter of those with these symptoms go untested in the UK.
The study analysed data from 4.3 million people who self-report COVID-19 symptoms and test results via a smartphone app. Nearly 5,000 people who had COVID-19 symptoms but no test was surveyed in late 2020.
The authors concluded more efforts and better messaging are required to educate people on testing recommendations.
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