Chloe Lanier of General Hospital falls ill
Credit: Image: Jill Johnson/JPI

General Hospital actress shares frustrations with the lack of available tests.

Updated March 26: General Hospital’s Chloe Lanier (Port Charles’ Nelle Benson) has updated that she’s feeling better. Soaps.com earlier posted the actress had taken ill and was self-isolation. In a new Instagram post she writes, “Hey guys. I’m starting to feel like myself again. Thank you all for reaching out!! I have so much love in my life and I am immensely grateful. As awful as I felt, FaceTiming with friends helped me through it.” She also is encouraging everyone who can to reach out in these times and donate to your local Feeding America food bank.

On March 19 Soaps.com reported and sent well wishes to General Hospital’s Chloe Lanier (Port Charles’ Nelle Benson), who revealed in an Instagram story that she’s showing symptoms of COVID-19. “On Saturday, the first day of my quarantine, I developed a mild cough that eventually turned into a runny nose and fever. Aches/chills then made their way into the picture. Called my doctor. Had a Skype aptt with them and they said because I didn’t hit all the symptoms laid out by the CDC, they could not test me. Then last night came the chest pain and shortness of breath. I went to the ER today where they again refused to test me because I’m young and there are very few tests to go around. The doctor said I ‘probably have’ but because of my age and overall health otherwise, I should continue to self isolate.”

Recently Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives actor Greg Rikaart  took ill and was also frustrated by the lack of tests and treatment options. Lanier echoed his sentiments in her post. “I’m saddened because there are countless people who are being turned away from getting tests that could be infecting others who are more vulnerable. I hope this changes. I hope more tests because available in this country — and not only for the 1%.”

More: Soap operas shut down production

Lanier is choosing stay at home while showing symptoms. “I’m going to binge a few shows, read, and rest up. Please stay inside and don’t take this situation lightly.” Other soap opera actors are also social distancing and have been posting updated to their social media. As more and more Americans join them by staying home, entertainment companies are doing their part to find ways to keep people’s minds on other things. Universal Pictures is releasing their new movies on demand as theaters have been shut down in many states, and Hallmark’s Christmas movie marathon is bring brought back to provide uplifting escapism.