The continued spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the CDC’s declaration of a worldwide pandemic have escalated concerns by people and businesses alike. Consumers are clearing store shelves of hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, paper products, vitamins and daily essentials. Events are being cancelled. Travel is being postponed. And the big one: Sneezes, coughs and running noses are being met with fear.
While test for the COVID19 strain of coronavirus are hard to acquire now, Diax Labs offers a molecular diagnostic that tests for similar viruses, including flu, rhinopharyngitis and four other strains of the coronavirus. This simple test, conducted by a quick, painless nasal swab, is an important first step in identifying whether the patient has a more common illness. This test is also a critical step in determining whether additional testing is necessary and protecting public safety.
When to Test for COVID-19
The process of elimination is critical in determining whether a patient has actually contracted COVID-19. The symptoms of this new strain of coronavirus mirror other viruses – fever, cough, shortness of breath – and can range from mild to severe. Any patient who has one or more of these symptoms should be tested for the common and well-known viruses that are widespread during winter months.
One of Two Outcomes
Within 3 hours, Diax Lab will report test results that show one of two outcomes:
- a positive result for cold, flu or other strains of coronavirus – Coronavirus HKU, 1Coronavirus NL63, Coronavirus 229E, Coronavirus on the test panel, enabling you to develop a treatment plan and giving the patient peace of mind, or
- a negative result, indicating the patient does not have the common cold, flu or one of the other four strains of coronavirus and that testing for the COVID-19 may be necessary, depending on the patient’s symptoms, immune health and the presence of severe underlying chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease diabetes, recent travels from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 or contact with potentially infected individuals.
Learn More About Our Virus Test Panel
Diax Labs is committed to the prompt and accurate reporting of all test results. To learn more about our extensive range of diagnostic testing, including the test panel for common viruses, click the link below.
