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COVID-19 TESTING OF ASYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS - NO BENEFIT BUT CONSEQUENTIAL FALSE SENSE SECURITY

Cassandra E. Henderson MD1, Janelle M. Jackman MD2, ShadiRezai MD3

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic due to the infectious pathogen Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has altered ambulatory and inpatient health care. The COVID-19 RT-PCR Test is a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT -PCR) test, which is an invaluable component of the differential diagnosis of a symptomatic individual. However, expert opinion supports use of PCR COVID-19 pre-admission or pre-surgery testing of asymptomatic to inform use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hospital isolation and bed assignment, maternal- neonatal bonding and breast feeding. Currently, there is no evidence-based data for a universal screening program of asymptomatic patients in the absence of contact tracing and even if it is done, it should not be in lieu of universal precautions and PPE use. The major method to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in the hospital setting and in general, would be to adhere to universal precautions, that is, using PPE at all times, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, self-quarantine if symptomatic or had possible exposure to COVID-19, social distancing and use of masks/ face coverings.