Searcy Farrell thought she had allergies in March.

After her symptoms worsened over a few days and several rejections for COVID-19 testing from the health district, Farrell discovered she had been battling coronavirus.

Her symptoms began on March 28, she said. Farrell, a Corpus Christi resident, assumed it was a bad case of allergies.

Two days later, Farrell knew it was something more serious.

Her throat burned. The next day, she developed a cough, had a runny nose, was sneezing and had an extremely sore throat, Farrell said in a Facebook message Monday to the Caller-Times.

Farrell, 36, spoke through messages because her throat was still sore.

"I went in to see (a doctor), they examined me and said it looked like a random viral infection, just let it run it's course," Farrell said in the message. "They gave me a prescription for antibiotics and told me to wait (five) days to fill it, and only fill it if I don't feel better by then."

Within a few days, Farrell felt worse.

She was sweating, had chills, a low-grade fever and a cough, she said.

As the days went on, there were no signs of better health.

"Now my cough was dry, I was hoarse, my throat was killing me," Farrell wrote in the message. "So I called my doctor and made another appointment. He tested me for strep and flu, both of which came back negative."

Farrell's doctor believed she had coronavirus and called the Nueces County Public Health District twice on her behalf. Both times, Farrell said she was denied a test for COVID-19.

Farrell also called the health district three more times in attempts to get a test. She was denied, she said.

"The county said no because I hadn't traveled outside of the city/county/country, and I hadn't been in contact with someone I know who had tested positive," Farrell said.

As of Sunday, Nueces County reported 76 cases of coronavirus. County health officials believe 14 people contracted the virus through community transmission, meaning the person did not have known contact with someone with coronvirus and had not traveled to an area with a high volume of cases.

County officials believe 35 coronavirus cases are travel-related, according to the health district's website. County data shows the health district, state public labs and hospitals have conducted 1,031 tests as of Sunday afternoon.

CDC guidelines for testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says guidance for COVID-19 may be adapted by state and local health departments to respond to rapidly changing local circumstances.

"Travel history and known exposure to a person confirmed with COVID-19 are also a part of the assessment to determine if an individual meets the requirement for testing," the Nueces County Public Health District said in an email to the Caller-Times.

The health district sent a copy of CDC guidelines for priority of testing of patients suspected of having COVID-19. The priorities are also listed on the CDC website.

PRIORITY 1

Ensure optimal care options for hospitalized patients, lessen the risk of infection in a hospital and maintain the integrity of the health care system.

Hospitalized patients

Symptomatic health care workers

PRIORITY 2

Ensure those who are at high risk of infection complications are identified and appropriately triaged.

Patients in long-term care facilities with symptoms

Patients 65 years of age and older with symptoms

Patients with underlying conditions with symptoms

First responders with symptoms

PRIORITY 3

As resources allow, test people in the area of rapidly increasing hospital cases to decrease community spread and ensure health of essential workers.

Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms

Individuals who do not meet any of the above categories with symptoms

Health care workers and first responders

Individuals with mild symptoms in communities experiencing high COVID-19 hospitalizations

NON-PRIORITY

Individuals without symptoms

During a briefing update Monday afternoon, Health Director Annette Rodriguez said the department follows CDC guidelines. People with symptoms who have traveled, who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive can get tested, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also said someone with symptoms who doesn't know how they got sick can also get tested and that the county would test someone who has been referred by their physician if they meet the CDC criteria for testing. The physician can also order the patient get tested through a commercial lab, Rodriguez said.

Positive for COVID-19

Farrell's doctor spoke with another physician at Christus Promptu Care. The facility has the ability to test, but results take time to come back to patients.

The facility also didn't accept Farrell's insurance, so she paid out of her pocket, she said. Farrell's test was conducted by Quest Diagnostics.

"I wasn't able to be seen until 4 p.m. last Tuesday (April 7)," Farrell said. "This morning, they called me to let me know I tested positive."

The Caller-Times was sent a screenshot from Farrell's doctor about the testing.

Farrell believes the county's COVID-19 numbers are inaccurate because of testing and lack of testing.

"I am not saying our healthcare workers are the problem. I am saying the way our county is handling testing is a problem," Farrell said. "As soon as I realized that this was more than allergies, I self-quarantined. However, prior to that, I had been out to shop for the family."

Farrell is unsure how she contacted the virus and is concerned for her household — her toddler and mother, who has lung disease.

"I feel very let down by our health department," she said. "I understand testing is limited, but when a physician contacts you to say 'Hey this person needs a test,' you give them a test."

Alexandria Rodriguez covers breaking news and crime in South Texas. Support local news by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe