MADISON, Wis. – With the delta variant leading to a rise in infection rates, health officials are urging the public to get tested for COVID-19 despite their vaccination status.
A news release from UW Health said anyone who experiences COVID symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, sore threat, fever and loss of taste or smell should get tested. People who have been exposed to the virus or anyone who is travelling should also go in for testing, according to the latest guidelines from state and federal health experts.
UW Health said testing remains important regardless of whether someone has been vaccinated against COVID.
“We know now that the delta variant is much more infectious than the original strain, and though rare, even those who have been vaccinated can become infected with the virus and spread it to others,” said Dr. Nasia Safdar, medical director, infection control, UW Health, and associate professor of medicine at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. “Testing is still as necessary as ever.”
Those who are vaccinated may feel that getting infected with COVID is not as dangerous due to their vaccination status, but the virus can still spread despite the severity of symptoms.
“Testing continues to be a crucial step to tracking this virus, but we all must do our parts to stop the spread by masking, physical distancing and especially getting vaccinated,” Safdar said. “Together we can save lives and keep our friends, neighbors and families safe and healthy.”
UW Health offers COVID testing and partners with Public Health Madison & Dane County for public community testing at the John Wall Drive facility.
For a list of other testing locations, click here.
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