Still plan to travel? Getting tested for COVID-19 beforehand is not foolproof

PITTSBURGH — Health officials are issuing expanded safety orders and advisories as record numbers of coronavirus cases are reported across Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday, Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen urged people not to have private gatherings at home, and to cancel Thanksgiving travel plans with people who don’t live with you.

>>STORY: Stay-at-home, stop social gatherings advisory issued for Allegheny County as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

But some insist they are not changing their plans for the holidays.

“I already have a trip planned, so I won’t be staying home. I’ll be leaving to go to Mexico on Tuesday,” Briana White told Channel 11.

White, who has been traveling throughout the pandemic, doesn’t agree with the recent orders.

“I’ll continue to wear my mask as I have been doing. When I do get back from Mexico, I plan on taking a COVID test,” she said.

Jim and Natalie Applegate of Dallas will be among those hitting the highways.

They’re planning an 18-hour drive to visit family in Pittsburgh.

“We chose to drive because we don’t feel safe flying. We just won’t go if we test positive when we go get our tests,” said Natalie.

However, getting tested for COVID-19 beforehand isn’t foolproof, according to health officials.

Here’s why: If you get tested five days after being exposed, you might test negative. Three days later, you could be pre-symptomatic but contagious. Plus, there’s the possibility of being exposed between a negative test and arriving at your destination.

AAA East Central is predicting the lowest number of drivers on the roads this Thanksgiving holiday period since 2008.

Stay-at-home advisory issued for Allegheny County as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Cox Media Group