Fever no longer required for COVID-19 testing in Mississippi

It is now possible to be tested for COVID-19 if you do not have a fever, one of the criteria Mississippi doctors have been using to triage individuals for testing.

Calling testing critical to Mississippi’s efforts to contain the virus, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi’s state health officer said the state has changed its criteria for testing in a news conference Monday

“Because our testing capacity is strong right now and because we’re having fewer people come in with symptoms, we are going to lower the criteria for people to get tested,” said. “If you have any symptoms of COVID, you don’t have to have necessarily a documented fever, or if you think you might have been exposed, please register for the drive-thru clinics if, in fact, you’re in those areas and have a desire to get tested.”

In addition to the drive-thru clinics Dobbs mentioned, the Mississippi State Department of Health provides a comprehensive list of clinics and doctors that will perform COVID-19 testing.

Dobbs emphasized that everyone should continue to observe social distancing and hygiene to protect themselves and others from the virus.

“I know we’re all trying to get back to some semblance of normalcy. I’m tired of it too, but as I go around and see people in the community, I’m not seeing a whole lot of masks. So, to the people who do wear masks, I applaud you. You’re protecting yourselves; you’re protecting your families,” Dobbs said. He added that masks will be required if you go to a doctor’s office.

“COVID is still out there and it could rebound,” Dobbs warned. “What we do now while we’re trying to ease back into normal operations is so very important. Those small, simple, easy things you can do as an individual are going to make all the difference. I strongly encourage people to take that personal initiative.”

Gov. Tate Reeves added that people who have been in contact with COVID-19 patients should get tested even if they are not symptomatic because it will aid the state continue its efforts to contain the virus.