How long will it take to get your COVID test results, Top Lab says

This lead test provider warned that its average waiting time has increased considerably.


At the beginning of the pandemic, while the United States increased its coronavirus test capacity, people were encouraged to be tested only if they knew serious symptoms or were a front-line medical worker. Now, the tests are more readily available throughout the country, but theCoronavirus surge has led to a huge demand and a delay period for results. The results are the most useful when they come back quickly, because individuals are able to immediately modify their behavior and get in touch with people they may have exposed. But a major test company warned that it is unable to provide COVID test results within two days or less in the majority of cases. In fact, waiting for results is currently a full week.

In a media declaration on COVID tests that have been updated on July 27, Quest Diagnostics stipulates that theAverage recovery time For patients "priority 1", is currently two days. For "all other patients", it's seven. The company defines "priority patients" "" hospital patients, preoperse patients in short-term care environments and symptomatic health workers ".

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Quest explains that "a strong persistent demand tends ... test capacity", which has considerably affected the turnaround times. It also recognizes that there are problems to obtain necessary supplies as soon as possible, as the pandemic also tends their equipment suppliers. The company claims to endeavor to get the benefits of what they consider as standard: one day for priority patients and three days for all others. Next week, the release indicates that they expect to increase their tests - per day from 135,000 to 150,000.

Nurse with COVID swab
Shutterstock / Raulmelianr

Earlier this month, former head of disease control and prevention centers (CDC)Tom Frieden, MD, wrote in an essay on the manipulation of the Pandemic CountryCOVID test results Arriving after 48 hours are "small value". As someone could contract the disease between being tested and receiving their results, it could have a false sense of security. And the test shift time means that contact tracers begin their work on a delay. Close contacts of individuals who end up positive test may not discover that they have been exposed before days or even weeks later, leaving them a lot of time to broadcast the virus further.

The test is always a tool in the fight against Covid, but the quest notes that "personal liability" is also a factor. Especially that delay times persist, all those who think they have made their duty by being tested - must continue to social distance as much as possible and to wear masks in public. And for another way to follow the virus,Dogs can tell you if you have Covid and a test, studied.

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Categories: Health
Tags: Coronavirus / News
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