One Test Diagnosis Four Infections

A North Carolina based life sciences company announced the launch of the first testing method to simultaneously detect COVID-19, influenza A / B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

This innovative single-panel test from LabCorp detects multiple types of infections that can empower doctors to diagnose patients and quickly determine treatment options. 

The new test is available to patients through doctors, hospitals, and other authorized healthcare providers nationwide stated LabCorp’s September 8, 2020, press statement.

“The U.S. is facing the most challenging health crisis in a century and is about to enter flu season, which has the potential to put additional strain on our healthcare system and cost lives,” said Dr. Brian Caveney, CMO, and president of LabCorp Diagnostics.

“Individuals infected with COVID-19, influenza A / B, or RSV, often experience similar symptoms of cough, fever, chest tightness, and body aches, providing a potential surge of patients seeking testing. Leveraging our scientific and technological expertise to simultaneously test for four major respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, will provide doctors a simple, efficient way to diagnose their patients.”

LabCorp’s COVID-19, influenza A / B, and RSV testing method is part of the company’s continued commitment to meet the demand for diagnostic testing as the country addresses the overlap of the COVID-19 health crisis and flu season. 

A significant influenza season, combined with RSV outbreaks, could put an added strain on the healthcare system, as people experience similar symptoms – fever, cough, and aches, for example – with COVID-19 and respiratory viruses, said LabCorp.

The company has performed over 13 million molecular tests since March 2020, using several sample collection methods, including simple nasal swabs and nasopharyngeal swabs.

The two types of tests most people discuss are RT-PCR, the nasal-swab test that detects viral RNA, and various antibody tests, that detect if you have an immune response due to past exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data on September 4, 2020, that indicates there have been over 44.2 million commercial tests to confirm if a person has a SARS-CoV-2 infection since March 1, 2020.

And after declining since mid-July, the percentage of laboratory tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 nationally (5.4%) increased slightly from week #34 to week #35, reported COVIDView.

LabCorp is a leading global life sciences company that is deeply integrated with guiding patient care, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory, and end-to-end drug development services.

CoronavirusToday publishes research-based diagnostic test news.