Table VI.

CDC guidance³² for prioritizing testing as of March 22, 2020

Priority 1 Ensure optimal care options for all hospitalized patients, lessen the risk of nosocomial infections, and maintain the integrity of the health care system •Hospitalized patients •Symptomatic health care workers

Priority 2 Ensure that those who are at the highest risk of complication of infection are rapidly identified and appropriately triaged •Patients in long-term care facilities with symptoms •Patients aged 65 y and older with symptoms •Patients with underlying conditions with symptoms •First responders with symptoms

Priority 3 As resources allow, test individuals in the surrounding community of rapidly increasing hospital cases to decrease community spread, and ensure health of essential workers •Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms •Individuals who do not meet any of the above categories with symptoms •Health care workers and first responders •Individuals with mild symptoms in communities experiencing high COVID-19 hospitalizations

Nonpriority •Individuals without symptoms