Predictors of later COVID-19 test seeking

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Delayed COVID-19 testing increases household and community transmission risks.
• Limited understanding exists regarding patient characteristics and symptoms associated with delayed SARS-CoV-2 test seeking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify patient characteristics and symptom profiles associated with delayed COVID-19 testing.
• To inform strategies for encouraging timely SARS-CoV-2 testing.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of symptomatic COVID-19 patients in a virtual care program (March 2020 - June 2021).
• Primary outcome: testing more than 3 days from symptom onset.
• Multivariable logistic regression analyzed predictors including patient demographics and 30 individual symptoms or 7 symptom clusters.

Main Results:

• Nearly half (46.8%) of eligible patients underwent later testing.
• Older age and recent travel history were associated with increased odds of late testing.
• Cardiorespiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms were linked to delayed testing; specific symptoms like dyspnea and anosmia also correlated with later testing.

Conclusions:

• Specific patient demographics and symptom clusters predict delayed COVID-19 testing.
• Targeted interventions are needed to promote earlier testing and reduce transmission.