Nyle DiMarco believes he contracted coronavirus but refuses testing to help others
Dancing with the Stars champion Nyle DiMarco. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Nyle DiMarco believes he may have contracted coronavirus, but chose to stay home rather than get a test as there are “sick patients [who] need it more” than he does.
Taking to Twitter Saturday night, the model described experiencing a spiked fever, chills and a sore throat – all symptoms of COVID-19 – as well as a lack of smell and taste starting last Sunday.
Since self-isolating, he is now recovering. But DiMarco’s refusal comes as dire shortages of testing kits strain America’s health services and plunge citizens into uncertainty.
I’ve been really sick and I am now on the mend.
It is very possible I contracted coronavirus and I have access to get tested but I do not want to. The reason is because there is a shortage of covid-19 test kits in the U.S. and the sick patients need it more than I do
(see more) pic.twitter.com/PUqUYaufcn
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) March 21, 2020
Nyle DiMarco refrains from coronavirus tests as kit shortages imperil US.
DiMarco signed that he has “access” to testing kit, but decided not to. “The reason,” he explained, “is because there is a shortage of COVID-19 test kits in the US.
“Sick patients need it more than I do.”
“I’d really like to stress the importance of testing,” he added.
“Of course, testing is critical, and it’s been proven in some countries like South Korea to greatly help the efforts of combating Coronavirus.
“In a perfect world, I would take that test.
“However, the US lacks enough test kits for everyone.
Deaf model Nyle DiMarco spotlighted the severe shortage of coronavirus testing kits imperilling healthcare providers. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
“If you are healthy and if you have no respiratory issues I strongly encourage you to be mindful of sick patients and allow them to get tested if they need it more than you do.
The former America’s Next Top Model winner rounded off the clip by reminding viewers of the importance of self-isolation and social distancing practices.
“And stay at home to avoid spreading and help flatten the curve. We’re in this together
“Let’s look out for each other!”
Americans are struggling to access crucial coronavirus testing kits.
With testing in short supply and guidelines for such tests being, advocates warn, restrictive, it has left many American citizens across the country unable to acquire a diagnosis.
Despite exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, openly gay Walking Dead star Daniel Newman struggled to score a test from healthcare providers.
As Newman described Friday in an Instagram post: “They’re only allowed to process ‘severe symptoms, elderly, or people recently in Italy and China’.
“It cost me $9,116! And they didn’t even give me results.”
