Benzinga | Mar 30, 2021 08:13AM EDT

Quest Diagnostics Gives Statement Related To COVID-19 Testing In K-12 Schooling

Quest Diagnostics cited among the nation's "top testing companies" for K-12 school testing, completes over 13,000 SARS-CoV-2 variant genomic sequencing tests for the CDC

Our average turnaround time for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing is approximately 1-2 days, with the vast majority completed in 1 day. We now have capacity to perform over 280,000 COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests a day, higher than at any other time during the pandemic. We are well positioned to expand clinical testing as well as industry "Return to Life" programs.

In recent news:

Quest cited as a top testing company for K-12 schools

The Rockefeller Foundation cited us among the nation's "top testing companies" in its new K-12 National Testing Action Program: Connecting Schools with the Nation's Leading Testing Companies to Safely Reopen (NTAP). The NTAP provides a roadmap for schools to implement testing programs using funds from a recent $10 billion allocation from the American Rescue Plan to safely reopen America's schools.

Quest completes over 13,000 variant sequencing tests for the CDC

We have completed over 13,000 SARS-CoV-2 variant genomic sequencing tests on behalf of the variant surveillance program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In January, we announced our collaboration with the CDC with the aim to provide genomic sequencing to identify new mutations in, and patterns of transmission of, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Participation in New York's Excelsior Pass for Digitally Sharing COVID-19 Test Status

We are pleased to announce our participation in New York's new Excelsior Pass, which offers a free way for individuals to voluntarily share their negative COVID-19 test result as well as vaccination status in accordance with New York State guidelines.

We encourage continued vigilance -- including masking, social distancing, and hand washing, along with testing and vaccination -- to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends that individuals do not travel at this time. For individuals who must travel, CDC guidelines recommend several measures, including COVID-19 testing 1-3 days before a trip and 3-5 days after a trip (as well as self-quarantine, even with a negative test).

*Capacity depends on access to sufficient supplies and equipment as well as positivity rates.

**Turnaround time refers to the expected number of days required to collect, transport, perform testing on and report results for a specimen. It begins at the end of the day on which a specimen was collected and ends at the end of the day on which we report the result. For instance, a specimen collected at 11 am on a Monday and reported electronically to a healthcare provider at 2 pm on a Wednesday would reflect a turnaround time of 2 days. We provide the expected turnaround time for specimens arriving into our laboratories on a given day (versus a historical perspective for results being reported that day) so that providers and the public can make informed decisions before they order a test. Turnaround time can fluctuate with demand, supplies and other factors, and vary by region.

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As of March 16, 2021, at 4:00 PM EDT

Quest provides updates on COVID-19 testing strategy at 2021 Investor Relations Day, urges caution around holiday gatherings and travel

Our average turnaround time** for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing continues to be approximately 1-2 days across all populations, with the vast majority completed in 1 day, including our priority population of hospitalized patients, individuals in long-term care (such as nursing homes), and presurgical patients.

We are now able to perform as many as 260,000 COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests a day, up from 250,000 at the beginning of the month.* We are well positioned to accommodate increased demand, including for non-clinical settings, such as schools, travel and entertainment and workplace screening.

COVID-19 testing expected to transition into "Return-to-Life" activities

At our virtual 2021 Investor Day meeting on March 11, members of our senior management team reported that we expect our COVID-19 testing to continue into 2022 at lower levels as testing moves from primarily clinical uses to support for "Return-to-Life" activities. Watch a replay and review the presentations here.

More than 1 million COVID-19 self-collected un-observed nasal tests completed

We have completed over 1 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests using self-collected, un-observed nasal (anterior nares) specimens. This self-collection method has enabled broad access to our COVID-19 testing, such as through our QuestDirect consumer-initiated test platform as well as employer, retail store and community testing events. We perform the majority of the testing on these orders at our advanced clinical laboratory in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., using our proprietary molecular diagnostic test.***

Expanding awareness of monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19

Beginning this week, Quest will add information to its COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test reports about the availability of monoclonal antibody treatments for patients with COVID-19. A link to the CombatCovid.hhs.gov website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will also be included. The site provides educational materials and a tool for identifying treatment sites in one's area. Monoclonal antibody treatments are authorized by the FDA for patients with certain high-risk criteria with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms for less than 10 days. These outpatient treatments may reduce risk of severe disease and hospitalization in eligible patients.

Supporting New York with COVID-19 testing

Quest Diagnostics is proud to support the NY Forward Rapid Test Program, which provides access to our QuestDirect COVID-19 Rapid Testing in New York offering with the aim to accelerate reopening of New York's economy.

Travel and Gatherings

We recognize that warmer Spring weather, "Spring Break" and religious holiday celebrations may motivate more travel and gatherings over the coming weeks. While cases of COVID-19 have declined dramatically from a peak in January, recent daily case rates and test positivity rates indicate significant risk of COVID-19 nationally. We encourage continued vigilance -- including masking, social distancing and hand washing, along with testing and vaccination -- to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends that individuals do not travel at this time. For individuals who must travel, CDC guidelines recommend several measures, including COVID-19 testing 1-3 days before a trip and 3-5 days after a trip (as well as self-quarantine, even with a negative test).

*Capacity depends on access to sufficient supplies and equipment as well as positivity rates.

**Turnaround time refers to the expected number of days required to collect, transport, perform testing on and report results for a specimen. It begins at the end of the day on which a specimen was collected and ends at the end of the day on which we report the result. For instance, a specimen collected at 11 am on a Monday and reported electronically to a healthcare provider at 2 pm on a Wednesday would reflect a turnaround time of 2 days. We provide the expected turnaround time for specimens arriving into our laboratories on a given day (versus a historical perspective for results being reported that day) so that providers and the public can make informed decisions before they order a test. Turnaround time can fluctuate with demand, supplies and other factors, and vary by region.

***These tests have not been reviewed by the FDA. Results from antibody testing should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection or to inform infection status. Positive results may be due to past or present infection with non-SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains, such as coronavirus HKU1, NL63, OC43, or 229E. The test system being used by Quest Diagnostics to perform the testing has been granted Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA.