Do you need a COVID-19 test? Odds are good
COVID-19 test lines
By WVUA 23 News Reporter A’Leeyah Ponder
Lines for COVID-19 tests are backing up as residents find themselves contending with symptoms that may or may not be caused by the omicron variant.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, 46.7% of COVID-19 tests in Tuscaloosa County taken over the past seven days have come back positive.
University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences Dean Dr. Richard Friend said there’s plenty you can do to keep you and your family safe from the virus.
“We’re seeing that this variant is much more contagious than the previous variants,” Friend said. “Really, proper masking technique is the most important thing, as well as social distancing.”
If you’ve been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or begin experiencing symptoms, get tested, Friend said, but be mindful of the COVID-19 tests you use.
“Not every home test is going to pick up omicron,” he said. “You can’t rely 100% on any one test.”
At-home COVID-19 tests are available at most major big-box stores and pharmacy retailers. Tests are also available through most doctor’s offices, pharmacies and emergency care clinics.
