Despite COVID-19 Spike, Most Diagnostic Test Results Take One Day

New Jersey-based Quest Diagnostics announced on August 3, 2021, it had performed and reported over 51 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic and antibody serology tests since it launched these services in 2020. 

'We continue to perform and report most COVID-19 diagnostic tests within 1 day,' confirmed Quest in a related press statement.

'We continue to see our molecular test volumes increase as we work to meet the demand caused by the current COVID-19 surge in the USA.'

'Our average positivity rate has also steadily increased over the past six weeks, making it more difficult to pool specimens. While we have ample capacity to meet current demand, we are currently evaluating measures to increase capacity should testing volume and positivity rates continue to surge.'

'Our COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests are effective in detecting individuals infected with the Delta variant, which is now the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in the United States, as well as other known circulating strains.'

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the FDA authorizes 398 tests and sample collection devices under emergency use authorizations (EUAs).

These include 279 molecular tests and sample collection devices, 87 antibody and other immune response tests, and 32 antigen tests. In addition, there are 53 molecular authorizations and one antibody authorization that can be used with home-collected samples.

And there is one molecular prescription at-home test, three antigen prescription at-home tests, six antigen over-the-counter (OTC) at-home tests, and two molecular OTC at-home tests.

Moreover, the FDA has authorized 13 antigen tests and eight molecular tests for serial screening programs. The FDA has also authorized 595 revisions to EUA authorizations.