THREAD: We’ve provided a new update on total daily testing capacity in U.S. for #coronavirus. This is not total tests run but an estimate of the maximum capacity across all labs that are conducting #COVID19 testing.
New guidance from CDC allowing labs to combine samples and test two samples on the same prep could allow labs to increase throughput and screen more patients daily. Theoretically, it could double testing capacity, if providers are (on average) collecting two samples per patient.
It will require providers change how they collect samples. If they take two swabs (one nasal one throat) they would need to put both swabs into the same collection container. So it requires the system to change collection procedures. So may take some time to fully implement.
We will monitor the implementation of this new guidance with labs and adjust our estimates as labs start to incorporate this new guidance and use the policy change to enable an increase their capacity to screen individual patients.
