Not everyone will fit the criteria to be tested for COVID-19. Here's what you should know

Many people have been asking who can be tested for COVID-19.

We asked health professionals about what you can expect.

People who people who are sick still aren't being tested.

Now officials want you to know why and what to do.

Good evening and thanks for joining us.

State officials are hitting on the subject of testing..

We'll break down what they said in a moment.

But first... we're answering your questions tonight.

Vigo county has 3 confirmed cases of covid-19.

But many believe the "true number" is much higher than that.

News 10's sarah lehman is live in the newsroom.

She has answers from local health leaders.

Patrece... according to the vigo county health department..

More than 80 people have been tested at union hospital.

The number of cases and tests given could continue to rise!

But you have to meet certain criteria when it comes to being tested.

Coughing... shortness of breath..

And a fever..

All symptoms of covid 19.

But just because you have those symptoms..

Does that mean you're going to be tested?

Barry nicoson (nick-o-sen).is the e-m-s emergency prparedness coordinator for union hospital.

He says it all depends on the patient.

"if you're a young healthy person who may have come into contact or believe that you may have it and you're exhibiting the symptoms but you're relatively healthy don't have diabetes, heart disease, those kinds of things c-o-p-d that goes with that.

You're going to be told to go home."

Nicoson says that means the majority of cases will be told to simply go home and self isolate.

He says when the outbreak first started -- they were only testing patients at high risk...who were being hospitilized.

"now we have a tent set up and we have a provider out there and we're seeing patients in the tent."

He says they still only have limited tests to offer.

So -- right now you have to meet certain criteria before you can officially be tested.

"people call several times.

I wanna be tested i wanna be tested but if you don't meet the criteria we are standing fast on that.

We are limited on testing supplies so we need to be very very selective and careful."

And he says the most important thing is social distancing!

"covid 19 is very contangious we need to be very smart on our social distancing we need to be very smart on isolating and not going and not showing up just to say hi to people.

We just can't do that."

So -- what is the criteria to get tested?

According to the c-d-c -- top priority is hospitalized patients and symptamatic healthcare workers.

Second priority -- patients in long-term care facilities with symptoms. people 65 years of age and older with symptoms. people with underlying conditions with symptoms. and first responders with symptoms. live in the newsroom.

Sarah lehman news 10 back to you.