CHATTANOOGA, Tenn – A basic online screening tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and PRevention (CDC) and Microsoft could give people some peace of mind about COVID-19 symptoms.
The online ‘bot’ (an interactive software tool) asks users a series of questions to determine whether or not their symptoms merit a further medical assessment.
“Testing supplies remain limited across much of the nation,” according to Rae Bond, Medical Society Executive Director. “The assessment tool lets people review their symptoms and suggests next steps in different situations. Of course, if people have a fever of 100.4 or higher or significant respiratory symptoms they should call their doctor or urgent care facility. With milder symptoms, the tool can provide some helpful reassurance.”
The tool is also available on the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society website, as well as the CHI Memorial and Erlanger hospital websites.
“Understandably, people are concerned by the spread of COVID-19, but testing is currently directed to individual with specific symptoms or specific traits, such as recent foreign travel,” Bond said.
“Our hope is that people will spend a few short moments answering some simple questions before they pick up the phone. Our best tools in this fight are social distancing, self-quarantine, and thorough hand washing.”