Board of Aldermen 03-16-2020 Page 5
Director Bagley
So the State continues to get test kits from the CDC. | heard today that there were a number of tests
that came in. Last week we heard that there were 250 tests that the State has and so as they continue
to produce the reagents, we continue to get more and more tests. There is a very strict criteria still in
place for testing. If an individual can describe to their provider what their risk factors were, so for
instance travel: no longer just travel to China or travel to Europe, travel to any other place where we
are seeing the numbers are spreading in the community. So folks are asked that question. Folks are
also asked questions about their symptoms; and so if they’ve had a fever or if they have a cough, any
relation to having traveled or if they have been in direct contact with someone that has been
diagnosed as a positive person with COVID 19. If they meet that criteria they will be tested.
If individuals also are over 60 or if they have underlying health conditions and they’ve been in contact
with someone, they are also going to be tested. Right now we ordered 30 kits so we can do at least
30 tests. We plan to start doing those activities by Wednesday and the State will give us tests as we
have need of them.
Alderwoman Kelly
| Know there’s been, maybe I’m just confused, but | wanted to know if there is any cost. | know at some
point at the National level they said, “Absolutely not, we are going to make sure that’s taken care of”.
But | just don’t know where we are with that.
Director Bagley
So for the kits that we have received, the collection kits we have received those are free, those are
free. | do know that if people have health insurance and they go into their private practitioners’ offices
or if they go into the ED, their health insurance will be charged. | don’t believe that if a person is
required to get testing that those individuals will be turned away if they can’t afford to pay for it.
Alderman Klee
Thank you. We had learned up in the State House last week in our marathon meeting, that the
insurance, the head of the insurance department had contacted all insurance companies and said that
there would be no co-pays, no anything for those that are insured, so that they are completely
covered, but again, like you said, those that do not have insurance, | don’t know. But all private
insurance companies are going to pick up all ED costs, all hospitalization if any as well as all primary
care cost.
Alderman Cleaver
Director Bagley thank you. About a week ago, ten days ago you had proposed Ward Meetings that we
arranged, Ward Communication Meetings, and | was wondering if that was still in the plan?
Director Bagley
No we have actually sent out a message that all of the events that we had planned for our Community
Health Assessment, we had a lead conference that was planned; we’ve cancelled all of those events
