We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App





US Labs Increase COVID-19 Testing Capacity but Facing Shortage of Supplies, Finds NILA Survey

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Oct 2020
A survey of community and regional laboratories in the US has revealed a potential collective increase in COVID-19 testing capacity, although difficulties persist in accessing the necessary testing supplies. More...


The National Independent Laboratory Association (NILA St. Louis, MO, USA) conducted a survey of 12 twelve community and regional laboratories that revealed shortages of test kits, reagents, and other materials, such as plastic pipette tips, without which they were unable to perform the promised number of tests. In spite of an increase in their COVID-19 testing capacity, these labs do not have access to the supplies and materials necessary to perform critical COVID-19 tests. For example, one regional laboratory reported an allocation from a manufacturer of enough reagents to process 500 tests per day, although it has a capacity for performing at least 3,000 tests per day.

The NILA has stressed that speedy test results are critical for isolating infected patients and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Community and regional laboratories report they can provide test results within one to two days which is significantly faster than the reported wait times experienced by most of the US population in recent weeks and months. According to the NILA, mitigating supply shortages will help increase the number of tests provided as well as the speed with which test results are delivered.

“The federal government must do whatever it can to help alleviate the testing supply shortages NILA members are experiencing,” said Mark Birenbaum, Ph.D., executive director, NILA. “We won’t emerge from this pandemic unless we focus on testing, and community and regional independent laboratories are key to scaling up our nation’s testing capacity. We have not seen transparency from the federal government regarding where test supplies are being allocated and how community labs can increase their access to these essential supplies.”

Related Links:
National Independent Laboratory Association


Gold Member
SARS-CoV-2 Reactive & Non-Reactive Controls
Qnostics SARS-CoV-2 Typing
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
New
Blood Glucose Test Strip
AutoSense Test
New
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study has linked blood proteins to Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Could Detect Proteins Linked to Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Loss

Alzheimer’s disease has long been associated with sticky amyloid plaques in the brain, but these markers alone do not fully explain the memory loss and cognitive decline patients experience.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: An adult fibrosarcoma case report has shown the importance of early diagnosis and targeted therapy (Photo courtesy of Sultana and Sailaja/Oncoscience)

Accurate Pathological Analysis Improves Treatment Outcomes for Adult Fibrosarcoma

Adult fibrosarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy that develops in connective tissue and often affects the limbs, trunk, or head and neck region. Diagnosis is complex because tumors can mimic... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.