SCAN finds 44 previously undetected COVID-19 cases
Apr 20, 2020, 5:00 PM | Updated: Oct 8, 2024, 6:50 am
A medical laboratory scientist runs a clinical test in the Immunology lab at UW Medicine looking for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, a virus strain that causes COVID-19. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
Last week, Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network released new data from an 18-day study they conducted on cases of COVID-19. Those cases might have gone undetected are now being identified across King County.
The first #COVID19 surveillance program in the United States has been conducted right here in King County. When will we see these kind of tests made available to the majority of the public? @TracyTTraffic has the details ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/DrbooWDdGW
— KIRO Radio 97.3 FM🎙 (@KIRORadio) April 20, 2020
Volunteer participants using a new at-home test kit that Dr. Jay Shendure, lead partner of SCAN, aptly named ‘the swab and send test kit.’ The patient collects a nasal sample and return it to a lab for testing.
From these test kits – SCAN tested 4,092 samples, 44 (1.6%) positive results for COVID-19. Dr. Duchin from King County Public health says the results were found when social distancing was in place.
Testing like this has been made available for symptomatic first responders and health care workers who cannot access testing through their health care provider or occupational health services.
Read more about SCAN’s study here.
