Sterling Pathology urges scalable testing and PCR tests to mitigate pandemic
LOS ANGELES—According to a report in Reuters, a plummet in COVID-19 testing rates is a driving factor in the decline of reported cases, even as deaths are rising.
“The bigger concern right now, I think, is the still increasing number of deaths,” World Health Organization’s (WHO) technical lead on COVID-19 Maria Van Kerkhove said during a virtual panel discussion livestreamed on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. “In the last week alone, almost 75,000 people died reported to us and we know that that is an underestimate.”
“Covid-19 is not going away, and neither should testing,” said Sterling Pathology in a statement. “As mandates on vaccinations and testing requirements continue to evolve, organizations need to implement bulk testing plans and prepare for future waves of Covid-19.”
Concerns about testing and isolation are still being discussed.
“Now is not the time for countries to change isolation requirements for people who test positive in rapid antigen or PCR tests,” WHO’s emergencies chief Mike Ryan said.
Rapid tests can deliver results within 15 minutes and are becoming more popular because of their speed of reporting Covid-19 positive results. However, PCR tests are the “gold standard” and despite the longer 24-48 hour time window for results and can even detect results in asymptomatic cases.
The tests Sterling Pathology offers are FDA-approved for emergency use authorization (EUA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pathology and genomics lab offers tailored programs that allow large organizations like schools, businesses and governments to administer and oversee scalable testing.
Sterling Pathology’s molecular testing is capable of detecting active COVID-19 infections in the human body. Unique genetic markers of the virus can be found in RNA that only remains in the body while the virus invades and replicates itself. The benefits of molecular testing is its sensitivity in detecting active infections, allowing patients to receive appropriate treatment options from their Care Provider, and take measures to prevent spreading the infections.
