REAL OAK, Mich. – If you’re going to take exponentially more tests to stop the pandemic, Beaumont experts thought it could help prevent invasive swabs and shorten the detection period.
The result of that effort is a new coronavirus technology that is both “highly accurate” and “relatively cheap” to develop. And the results take roughly the same amount of time as a pizza delivery a little late in arriving at the client’s home. The trial is not available now, but could take a month to complete.
Announced on Wednesday, Beaumont Health researchers have developed the COVID-19 technology capable of producing results in 30-45 minutes using only blood, saliva, or urine.
“We need more testing options if we are to organize a successful public health response to COVID-19,” said Dr. Laura Lamb. “This is a quick test that does not require expensive machinery to operate and the materials for it are relatively inexpensive. The more options we have to test, the better.”
The reduced detection period could be helpful for people entering an Amazon nursing home, cruise ship, school, prison, or warehouse – all places where exposure can increase and potential infections could be fatal.
“We are optimistic with the right resources, it could be ready for widespread use in about a month,” added Lamb.
Current test results with accurate results can take up to 24 hours, which is not conducive to the number of employers and managers of long-term care facilities operating. For those who don’t get tested, it’s 14 days of symptom-free self-quarantine before one can enter public spaces.
Michigan’s current testing capacity stands at around 15,000 per day, enough to mitigate the spread of the virus, but not enough to suppress it. Experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci at the federal level believe that investing more resources in test infrastructure is one way the United States can curb COVID-19.
