FDA announces that Quest diagnostics now offers pooling sample testing for COVID-19 for use with pooled samples containing up to four individual swab specimens collected under observation. The Quest test is the first COVID-19 diagnostic test to be authorized for use with pooled samples. If the sample comes back positive, then each individual is swabbed for a follow up test. The effort behind this to test more of the population without using limited testing supplies. The FDA continues to work with a number of diagnostic test developers to facilitate new approaches and get additional tests to more Americans more quickly.
For more information, access the article here: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-issues-first-emergency-authorization-sample-pooling-diagnostic