MYNORTHWEST NEWS

UW study could pave way for more at-home coronavirus testing

Mar 26, 2020, 9:59 AM | Updated: 10:42 am

at-home coronavirus testing...

An at-home coronavirus test. (Greater Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network)

(Greater Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network)

A new study out of the University of Washington could lay the groundwork to ramp up at-home coronavirus testing across the United States.

King County group sends out at-home tests ‘to better predict’ virus

The study comes out of the UW’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, after collecting samples from patients who swabbed themselves in order to determine how accurate the process could be in detecting the presence of coronavirus.

It found that of the self-swabbed samples collected by almost 500 patients, over 90% accurately detected COVID-19.

“Nasal swabs are extremely easy for anyone to self-collect, in any setting,” said the study’s co-author and UW professor Gerard Cangelosi. “So it’s an excellent way to expand screening while reducing worker exposure.”

Thanks to the discoveries made in the UW’s study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reworked its recommendations to allow patients across the country to collect their own nasal swabs.

As the nationwide COVID-19 outbreak has escalated, the standard has been to have a specially trained health care worker collect swabs from patients themselves. That’s a process that requires a patient to travel outside their home, while the worker taking the sample is required to use personal protective equipment to adhere to safety standards.

The hope in urging a switch to more self-swabbing is that issues related to both logistics and resources could be mitigated, in turn increasing the capacity to collect more samples.

“Making simple, patient-administered testing widely available will substantially improve testing efficiency while protecting health care workers and preserving urgently needed personal protective equipment, such as face masks, gowns, and gloves,” said study lead Dr. Yuan-Po Tu.

Labs like the one at UW Virology have noted that they are operating “far under capacity.” That’s despite having the ability to run thousands of tests per day, while programs to massively increase sample collection have yet to bear fruit.

Ross: Can Americans do what it takes to stop coronavirus in its tracks?

Currently, tests are still being prioritized for individuals showing severe symptoms, as well as police officers, firefighters, and first responders on the front lines. Testing for those with mild symptoms, though, has still been hard to come by, something that would be integral to preventing the continued spread of the virus.

A vastly expanded testing program for those with mild or no symptoms is something that some experts have dubbed as a necessity to ensuring that coronavirus doesn’t continue to recur after cases start to subside, as well as curbing its current spread.

MyNorthwest News

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

46 minutes ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

4 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

5 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

6 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

7 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

8 hours ago

UW study could pave way for more at-home coronavirus testing