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What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the  SARS-associated coronavirus-02 (SARS-CoV-02). 

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COVID-19 has a global mortality rate of 3.3% worldwide, with 26,1 million confirmed cases in the U.S. as of September 2020. Compared to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) outbreak in 2002 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in 2012, SARS-CoV-02 carries the highest risk of infection. To identify individuals actively shedding disease, diagnostic testing is key in COVID-19 infection control and disease management. 

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The Spread

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The more closely a person interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.

 

COVID-19 is transferred primarily through respiratory droplets, which are distributed when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks. The more time people interact with one another while not wearing protective face coverings, the easier the virus is spread from person to person.

 

COVID-19 can be spread by those who are asymptomatic, or those experiencing mild symptoms that they do not recognize as the virus. This makes testing all the more important in reducing the spread.

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Symptoms

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 Those infected with the coronavirus have experienced a wide variety of mild to severe symptoms, which can appear two to 14 days after being exposed to the virus.

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The symptoms of COVID-19 mimic many conditions, such as influenza, which only emphasizes the need for testing

 

Common symptoms

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  • Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing 

  • Fever or chills

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

  • Sudden loss of smell or taste

  • Headache

  • Fatigue

  • Congestion or runny nose

 

Severe symptoms, which require immediate medical attention

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  • Trouble breathing

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

  • Sudden confusion

  • Inability to stay awake

  • Blue, or blue-tinted lips or face

 

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More about testing

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Testing accuracy heavily depends on the right timing.
Some tests, like the PCR test, determine your current state of infection, while some, like antibody tests, reveal whether you have been infected with the virus at some point in the past.

Who needs PPE?

The figure on the left displays the sensitivity by assay type over time and compares a blood‐based serologic assay (sensitivity in 157 patients) to nasopharyngeal (NP) swab PCR data (from 209 patients). The serology sensitivity is based on the detection of antibodies IgM, IgG, or IgA. The clinical sensitivity of the NP PCR test remains above 90% for the first 5 days after symptom onset and then drops to 70% after 10 days of symptom onset. Blood-based serology testing shows an increasing sensitivity of 45% after 7 days and 95% after 18 days, remaining at 100% after 20 days.

Let us take COVID testing off your hands.

Our team will provide an end-to-end solution for your testing needs.
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