(STUDY FINDS) -- WASHINGTON — An alarming report recently published by Gallup reveals that about 1 in 7 Americans (14%) would avoid seeking medical care if they experience COVID symptoms over fear of the potential cost. Perhaps just as disturbing: 6% of those surveyed — which equates to about 15 million people — report that they or a family member were turned away by a healthcare provider for problems unrelated to coronavirus because of heavy volume at medical centers during the pandemic.
The results came from a nationally representative sample of 1,017 American adults surveyed between April 1st and 14th.
When experiencing a fever and a dry cough, telltale COVID-19 symptoms, nearly 1 in 10 would avoid treatment (9%) even when they suspect they have been infected with the coronavirus. The researchers say this suggests widespread gaps in insurance coverage, poor financial situations, and/or incomplete knowledge of all the key symptoms of the virus.
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