Expect an "explosion" in the number of reported coronavirus cases in the United States in the coming days, but do not let it panic you, a Yale professor says.
That is because better testing is simply identifying existing cases, reports Yale Insights.
"There is absolutely going to be an explosion in the number of identified cases," radiologist and healthcare management expert Howard P. Forman told the publication. "But how fast that number increases is highly dependent on how fast we can test. As of today, we have done inadequate testing and today's announcement of 15,000 kits 'in the mail,' per the White House, is woefully inadequate for a population that is rightfully concerned and a healthcare community that has too little useful information."
Like many other experts, Forman said a large number of mildly symptomatic patients will seek primary care, urgent care and emergency room visits.
"Even in a normal influenza season, our emergency departments are stretched," he said. "My field of radiology may be stretched more than with other illnesses as computed tomography of the chest may be useful as screening."
Those with the worst symptoms might not be able to find ventilator beds, he said. "Our system has limited capacity for extraordinary events. But disaster planning can help a lot here and most major institutions have plans for this."
Still, he said, the average person should avoid panic.
"The numbers may look gruesome over the next week or so, but these are existing cases that are finally being diagnosed," Forman explained. "Our public health and healthcare infrastructure is very strong but it will be tested. I am confident that through adequate detection, we will contain this."
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