Due to the Spread of COVID-19 in the US, Test Results Are Also Delayed... "It May Take More Than a Week"

Testing demand surges, delaying test results
Even medical staff subject to testing may wait about two days
Limitations in reagents and testing equipment

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly increases in the United States, the time required for testing is also lengthening. Companies that diagnose COVID-19 infection status have stated that it may take several days or more to receive results.

Brett Giroir, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services
[Photo by Reuters]

On the 20th (local time), CNN reported that laboratories testing for COVID-19 confirmation are overwhelmed due to the surge of suspected COVID-19 patients in the United States.

Quest Diagnostics stated in a press release that it expects the average time for the general public to receive COVID-19 test results to be about a week. Although healthcare workers and others are given priority testing, even for them, it is expected to take about two days on average. Just a week ago, healthcare workers could receive results in about one day on average.

Quest Diagnostics explained that there are limitations in testing due to constraints in testing equipment and reagents.

The U.S. health authorities also partially acknowledge that testing may take a considerable amount of time. Brett Giroir, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, stated on CNN that in 18 states, test results come out within an average of 2 to 3 days, but in other regions, it may take more than 3 days.

Deputy Secretary Giroir also emphasized that there is no need for unnecessary testing among Americans. He said, "We have data showing that after 8 to 9 days from infection, the virus disappears and is no longer contagious," adding, "People undergoing multiple retests is unnecessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.