While many questions remain regarding the spread of Covid-19, there is one undeniable fact. Each individual can do their part to suppress and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Proven safety practices such as mask-wearing, hand washing, and social distancing prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Of equal—and possibly even greater—importance is everyone’s commitment to ongoing Covid-19 testing. “We’re going to leverage our resources and get it done,” says Graig Robinson, CEO of Diagnostic Service Center. “We can protect ourselves. We know what to do.” 

Testing for Covid-19 has come a long way

Doctors confirmed the first case of Coronavirus in the US in January 2020., but capable and efficient testing lagged far behind. As February of that year came to an end, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) loosened restrictions pertaining to Emergency Use Authorization. This led to a drastic increase in the availability of authorized Covid-19 tests. By May, the private sector handled Covid testing almost exclusively. At summer’s end, Americans performed approximately one million Covid tests a day. 

Two years later, Coronavirus still runs rampant. If there is to be a safe return to normalcy, the need for widespread and regular testing is clear. 

Improved testing is achievable and necessary. Scientists from the National Institute of Health are putting massive effort into programs that ensure the availability of rapid and reliable Covid testing. The $1.5-billion Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics program, for example, aims to scale up the deployment of rapid Covid tests with a goal of making 6 million tests available each day. 

“This is what we’ve been doing for more than 700 days,” comments Robinson. “We’ve developed the tests, increased availability, and decreased delays in results. Now we are empowered to put together solutions that can have a real impact on this pandemic.”

Who should be tested for Coronavirus?

SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted even before symptoms are present. Additionally, the virus remains asymptomatic in some people. These facts make testing critical. Only regular testing can identify individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 – regardless of whether they are symptomatic or not.

“I encourage everyone to take a proactive approach and test at home,” remarks Robinson. “We need to make sure we collect enough specimens to conduct an accurate assessment of the impact of this pandemic. Repeated and reliable testing is the best strategy for a safe return to schools and workplaces.”

People who show symptoms of Covid-19 such as trouble breathing, fever, sore throat, or loss of the sense of smell and taste should be tested immediately. Testing early allows people to isolate themselves and reduce the chances of infecting others. Seeking early treatment is also key to reducing the disease’s severity.  

People who have been in contact with anyone diagnosed with Covid-19 need to be tested as well. The airborne disease is highly contagious. Just because people receive a negative test result doesn’t mean they are completely in the clear. It is possible to become infectious later. Even after negative results, people should continue proven safety practices, including regular handwashing, social distancing, and mask-wearing. 

Even people without Covid-19 symptoms can help make their workplace a safer environment by submitting to testing. According to a UChicago study, over half of all SARS-CoV-2 infections are transmitted by asymptomatic people. Identifying pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals infected with Coronavirus before they spread the illness to their friends, family, and coworkers plays a major role in stopping the pandemic.

Those who receive positive test results should responsibly report the findings and take measures to isolate themselves. In addition, anyone with whom they’ve been in close contact should get tested as soon as possible.

Covid testing is easy and quick

In the early days of Covid-19, the only available tests required swabbing the back of the throat to obtain a sample. This type of test is understandably uncomfortable and invasive for many people.

Newer tests developed by RADx Tech and RADx-ATP (Advanced Technology Platforms) allow people to collect samples from the nasal passages. These tests are far more comfortable and just as reliable. In the near future, people will also be able to test for Covid by providing a saliva sample or mouth swab.

Fast results are the key to mitigating the spread of Covid-19. Delays plagued testing feedback during the early days of the pandemic, but labs have dramatically improved their testing capacities. On average, results take no longer than four days.

Some of today’s most rapid Covid-19 tests are known as point-of-care tests. These tests do not need to be sent away for results. They can be completed right after the specimen is collected. Point-of-care tests enable people to have results and take precautions in minutes.   

“Businesses across the nation have resources,” says Robinson. “We also have information provided to us by health systems and the federal government. So now, we’re empowered to put in place the protective programs and reactive programs we need.” Covid-19 testing has come a long way during the two years of the pandemic. Thanks to herculean efforts from scientists and governments around the world, the tests are more reliable and accessible than ever. With a widespread initiative to utilize this testing, the power to suppress the spread of Coronavirus is within reach.