For Immunocompromised, Continued Covid Testing Essential

By Dorothy Leone-Glasser

For patients with a compromised immune system like myself, living in a Covid pandemic has been more than tough.

While friends and family may continue to reunite in person, eat in restaurants and enjoy going to the movies and going to a baseball game, life isn’t normal for those of us who aren’t sure to spend time with. An estimated 10 million people in the U.S. are immunocompromised, meaning their immune system is weakened, due to chronic disease, cancer, transplants, medications and other factors. Their bodies cannot easily fight off diseases. These individuals were largely not included in the COVID-19 vaccine clinic trials, so there is not enough data to know how effective the vaccine is for this population.

That’s why it is essential for the population to continue to remember our first line of defense against COVID-19: testing.

COVID testing is available in communities throughout the state at health centers, pharmacies and other facilities. Georgians can find information on nearby testing locations from the Georgia Department of Health and their local health departments. Public health organizations and groups like ACT Against COVID can provide more information on the different kinds of tests and which test you should take.

Generally, PCR tests are considered the gold standard for testing and should be taken if you have symptoms, have been exposed to someone with symptoms, or have been in an environment with an outbreak. Antigen, or rapid, testing is a fast and reliable screening option. Antibody testing is used to trace the spread of the virus by allowing individuals to see if they’ve previously been infected.

To help people better understand which test should be used and when, the ACT Against COVID alliance has introduced a new interactive “Right Test Right Time” tool for individuals and organizations. The online link helps patients navigate what type of test and where to find a test so they can not only find out if they are sick but decide when it is safe to re-enter their community.

Approximately 50 percent of Georgians have received at least one dose of a vaccine, and 42 percent have been fully vaccinated. We know that breakthrough cases are occurring even among vaccinated. Testing gives us the most up-to-date information to prevent potential exposures.

Because while so many individuals have returned to daily life, those who are immunocompromised or high-risk have not. We have had to miss family gatherings, events, and birthday dinners or risk winding up in the hospital or worse. With COVID-19 cases spiking again, meeting friends and loved ones face-to-face poses a risk, even outside with masks on.

As life continues to evolve during the pandemic, Georgians are having to adapt to return to concerts, sporting events and other gatherings. In many circumstances, they now must get a Covid-19 test to gather. Certainly, if you are traveling abroad, a negative test is required.

Testing needs to be a critical centerpiece in helping us all get back to our daily lives. I encourage you to protect your loved ones, neighbors, coworkers, and communities by continuing to get tested if you have been at risk of exposure. I also encourage our local and state leaders to continue to make testing available and accessible for all Georgians.

Leone-Glasser, RN, HHC, is Executive Director of Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC).