In 10 days, NC has tested 101 for coronavirus

With the number of confirmed or "presumptive positive" cases of coronavirus in North Carolina growing by the day, questions remain about the status of testing in the state.

"There have been issues with testing and the supply of those, but at no time did that supply ever limit those from getting the tests they need if they met the clinical criteria," said Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

In the 10 days since the first presumed positive case was identified – a Wake County man who visited Washington state – the state lab has tested 101 samples, Cohen said.

That's an average of 10 per day in a state with a population of more than 10 million.

Cohen pointed out that other labs are also performing tests. But the number of tests done by other labs isn't released, so does Cohen think limited testing means some people are walking around with COVID-19, the illness associated with coronavirus?

"I think we also have to understand that testing is going to evolve," she said. "The importance of testing changes as we move through this. We want to be doing testing now, but what I want to make sure people know is what we want people to get access to if they need medical attention, if they're having trouble breathing."

For that reason, Cohen says everyone needs to pay close attention to symptoms. Those who have a fever, cough and test negative for flu, now qualify to be tested for COVID-19.

Given the uncertainty, Cohen reiterates washing hands, cleaning surfaces and avoiding crowds.

She noted that all the positive tests in North Carolina, all of the confirmed cases of coronavirus so far are linked to people who traveled to virus hot spots or had known contact with an existing patient. There is not record of so-called "community spread."