Detroit health care worker dies after being denied coronavirus test 4 times, daughter says

[Formerly Once-Ler]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/detroit-health-care-worker-dies-after-being-denied-coronavirus-test-n1192076

Deborah Gatewood had two years to go before she could retire from a Detroit hospital.

But Gatewood, a phlebotomist for three decades, will never celebrate that milestone.

She died April 17 from symptoms related to the coronavirus.

Her daughter said that prior to her mother's death, she was denied a coronavirus test four times by her employer, Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills.

If she's unwilling to tell them President Trump said anyone who wants a test can get a test last month, whose fault is it really?

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Never tested but you know the fake news will count it as a COVID-19 death.

[Hoodat]

prior to her mother's death, she was denied a coronavirus test four times by her employer, Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills.

As a medical professional, she should have known that permission for a test could only be issued by her physician, not her employer.  Fake outrage.

[PeteS in CA]

As a medical professional, she should have known that permission for a test could only be issued by her physician, not her employer.  Fake outrage.

And numerous health plans pay 100% for both testing and care. So either some relevant information is missing from this story or it's substantially bogus.

[mountaineer]

So either some relevant information is missing from this story or it's substantially bogus.

Let's see, it's from NBC News, so I'll guess both.

[Fishrrman]

My primary care doctor closed his practice and retired earlier this month. He's 80, I guess he figured it was a good time to do so, while the gettin' remained good.

So... that means as of now, I have no primary care doctor (I do have a caridology guy).

Since I believe most medical offices here in CT are pretty much closed for the time being (i.e. reduced or no "in-person" visits), getting a replacement primary care doctor isn't going to be easy (haven't tried that yet).

What happens if I get the [what I think is] the COVID virus and want to be tested? I have no doctor to "refer me" now.

I can see where this could be a problem for some, because it's a problem for me...

[Formerly Once-Ler]

My primary care doctor closed his practice and retired earlier this month. He's 80, I guess he figured it was a good time to so so, while the gettin' remained good.

So... that means as of now, I have no primary care doctor (I do have a caridology guy).

Since I believe most medical offices here in CT are pretty much closed for the time being (i.e. reduced or no "in-person" visits), getting a replacement primary care doctor isn't going to be easy (haven't tried that yet).

What happens if I get the [what I think is] the COVID virus and want to be tested? I have no doctor to "refer me" now.

I can see where this could be a problem for some, because it's a problem for me...

This lady was in Detroit.  It seems quite possible she could have been in a similar situation.  I don't buy she was unaware of what she needed to do to get a test.  I do believe that if her employer, Beaumont Hospital, had done the test, and it came back positive, other people would have to be quarantined.  So die employee.

[mountaineer]

What happens if I get the [what I think is] the COVID virus and want to be tested? I have no doctor to "refer me" now.

I can see where this could be a problem for some, because it's a problem for me...

I'd call the county health dept and tell them you have no primary care doctor but you're pretty sure you need a test. It may vary from state to state, but my county health dept seems to be pretty involved in this process.