[refurb]

In order to determine who to test, you need to base it on what your actions will be with a positive or negative result.

If someone is showing mild Corona virus symptoms and can safely quarantine themselves, then there isn't a lot of value in testing. The result isn't going to change what you do.

Where it's useful is controlling transmission. When you identify a patient, find out who they came in contact with and confirm whether or not they have it.

[rezendi]

Your point is taken, but positive tests imply future immunity (based on what we currently know, for those who survive...) and that may become valuable information. For instance interactions with nursing homes, seniors' facilities, most of southwest Florida, etc., could be limited to people who had tested positive and recovered.

[wideasleep1]

'Controlling transmission' is only useful before it becomes 'community-spread'. I'm unconvinced the testing is any more useful than stats in a future wiki article. At the end of the day, folks needing hospitalization/respiratory support will exist in spite of any given test result.