The Wahkiakum County Eagle contacted Family Health Center Director Dian Cooper after receiving a complaint from an individual who said she had “pushed and fought” to receive testing for covid-19 at their office in Cathlamet because she had been ill, had tested negative for flu, and was often around seniors.

“We follow the CDC guidelines, which are to prioritize limited testing capability for hospitalized patients with symptoms and health care providers with symptoms,” Cooper wrote in an email. “We also prioritize testing for contacts of positive COVID 19 patients as requested by our local public health partners.

“We telephone screen all patients as to their potential exposure and symptoms for COVID. Per CDC guidance, patients are advised to stay home until their symptoms resolve and to seek additional care if their symptoms don’t get better or if they have difficulty breathing.

“If the patient wishes to see a provider for their symptoms, they are scheduled for an appointment. It is the provider’s discretion as to whether the patient is tested for COVID 19.

“I understand that this can be frustrating for patients who are concerned about their health issues,” Cooper wrote.

For more information on guidelines, Cooper suggested, refer to Wahkiakum Health Department or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html. There is a self-checker link that people can use on that page.