FDA approves key coronavirus test that could significantly speed up results

[Chris Smith]

• Sustained coronavirus transmission continues to be a significant problem in several US states, and testing needs to increase so officials can detect new infections as quickly as possible.
• Asymptomatic carriers are of particular concern, as they can spread COVID-19 unknowingly, especially if they don’t wear face masks and don’t practice social distancing.
• Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the US may rely on pool testing to increase the number of tests, speed up results, and potentially catch asymptomatics while conserving resources.

A few weeks ago, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci explained that testing for the novel coronavirus needs a key upgrade that will make it easier to detect the most dangerous COVID-19 spreader: Asymptomatic carriers. Fauci’s comments came in late June, doubling down on the need for increased testing in the US. America was already registering a surge in cases at the time, with several states reporting more cases than during lockdowns. The same week, Fauci said before Congress that nobody had asked him and his colleagues to reduce testing, and that testing would increase. The statement came in response to questions about President Trump’s criticism of testing. More testing will lead to more cases, Trump has said, a conclusion that has no scientific merit. If COVID-19 is spreading inside a community, it will continue to infect people no matter how many tests are processed.

Three weeks later, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the crucial coronavirus test that Fauci detailed. It’s called pool testing, and it’s meant to help officials process tests more quickly to determine the scope of the infection and catch asymptomatics while conserving resources and speeding up results.

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FDA approves key coronavirus test that could significantly speed up results originally appeared on BGR.com on Mon, 20 Jul 2020 at 10:52:55 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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