Put It on the Board

Create PDF

Drs. Konnick, Laser, and Weck, who are members of the AMP COVID Response Steering Committee, say that early and better use of the Defense Production Act or similar support from the federal government is needed to ensure the supply chain is not disrupted during a pandemic.

“Making the recommended key alterations to the collaborative, regulatory, and supply-chain aspects of clinical laboratory testing,” they write, “will enable our critical diagnostic capacity to better respond to future pandemics as well as to the expanded testing needs of an aging population.”

Hologic’s COVID-19/flu test now available

Hologic’s Aptima SARS-CoV-2/Flu assay for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B became available in late October.

The new multiplex test is CE marked for diagnostic use in Europe, was authorized under interim order by Health Canada, and received emergency use authorization from the FDA. The assay runs on Hologic’s Panther system.

It can be used with anterior nasal swab and nasopharyngeal sample types. Multiple collection devices can be used, including Hologic’s direct load collection kits, recently launched in the U.S. and designed to reduce risk of viral transmission and improve laboratory efficiency. A buffer within the collection tube inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and other common respiratory viruses. Then the tubes are loaded directly onto the Panther without manual steps.