CDC Has Fixed Issue Delaying Coronavirus Testing In U.S., Health Officials Say

[riversedge]

Source: npr





February 27, 202010:01 AM ET

Updated at 11:50 a.m. ET

Federal health officials say they have resolved a problem that has hindered wide testing for the new coronavirus in the United States, a crucial practice for fighting the spread of the dangerous new infection.

A problem with one ingredient in test kits that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distributed to labs around the country had created a frustrating bottleneck in testing, requiring most testing to occur at the CDC in Atlanta.

On Wednesday night, the CDC announced a new case of the COVID-19 disease in California that could represent the first U.S. case of the virus spreading within the general population. That diagnosis was delayed because testing wasn't done immediately.


But the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration informed state officials late Wednesday that the agencies have resolved the problem with the test kits.

"The FDA has authorized the use of those tests by using just the first and second step to provide a definitive diagnostic," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said during a congressional hearing Thursday........................

Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/27/809936132/cdc-fixes-issue-delaying-coronavirus-testing-in-u-s

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Rob Stein, photographed for NPR, 22 January 2020, in Washington DC.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, headquartered in Atlanta, announced on Wednesday a new case of the COVID-19 disease in California, a diagnosis that was delayed because testing wasn't done immediately.
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

[LonePirate]

1. So two months after the virus became widely known, we can finally perform widespread testing for it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. well, 2/3 of the test is available.

Not sure how important 3rd part of test is.

Back in the day when I working at an addictions clinic, it was announced that vaccines for Hep. B were gonna be provided, as part of credentialing staff...state requirement and all that.

First shot, then the 2nd a couple of weeks later, IIRC....3rd was going to be at 6 months.

We all got the first 2 shots.
Agency decided not to do the 3rd one. Something about it was too expensive..

By this time I was an old hand at working with stupid Admins in a variety of clinical settings.

Good way to dampen the spirits of committed staff, tho.

[mr_lebowski]

6. I'm not an expert but doesn't it seem like if this 3rd test step just really didn't matter

They'd have figured that out well before now?

Doesn't it seem kinda sketchy that 'the solution to the problem', now that shit is really going down and it appears the ingredient is still unavailable ... HAPPILY just so happens to be 'oh, well turns out you don't have to do that part that requires the ingredient'?

Especially when it's coming from, you know ... this particular sadministration?

[BigmanPigman]

3. All those HHS staffers that had unprotected 1:1 contact

went out and likely spread it to others. Do YOU trust HHS and the Fed Govt at this point? I trust my state of CA more than I trust the tRump/Pence team.

[Bayard]

4. Saw that tonight on Rachel

Maddening incompetence in getting a crowd of people infected now.



P.S.
I was at my pulmonologist today. He said he's seeing a major increase in regular flu cases lately, like he hasn't seen in years.
Get your flu shots!

[BigmanPigman]

5. I always get a flu shot since I used to work

in retail and was always sick, then I changed careers and became a teacher and saw what getting sick ALL THE TIME was like first hand. I got every strange illness and had colds 90% of the school year (1st grade). I had pneumonia, Mono(for 6 straight months), black mold from "soon to be demolished" classroom, etc. Now I am on retirement/disability due to it and have the ACA with tax credits (I have two permanent illnesses now). I have almost no immune system and if tRump and SCOTUS kill the ACA I will not make it.

My students would be sent to school while sick and if they had been kept home at all they were returned before recovering completely. Parents have to work now and they can't afford to stay home or get day care. Computer keyboards are germ factories too. I have seen it all and do not want to get this illness. Tonight I said to myself, as I watched Rachel, that if I were still teaching I would call in sick starting tomorrow and stay out until this is gone. Really! I hardly ever go out so I am sort of self quarantined, so that is good.

I can tell you right now that the school system and the US is not close to being ready to handle this effectively. Thank Dog I am not teaching now! Wash your hands constantly and do not touch your face ever!

[Bayard]

7. Dang....

I am sorry to hear that.....

[BigmanPigman]

8. I feel badly for all the teachers and health care workers who will

be at risk the most but will have to go work and continue to work in a dangerous environment.

[2naSalit]

9. That seems to be the objective

To destroy trust in the government.

[BigmanPigman]

10. But with that trust goes the trust in

the economy and stock market. Team tRump lives and breathes for money so they destroy trust in the Fed Govt and Bannon and his kind are thrilled, yet when the economy tanks due to lack of trust will they still be singing the same tune?

I saw Bannon talk to Bill Maher about a year ago and he told Bill that the American farmers may be taking a hit right now due to tRump's trade policy with China but "the farmers know that they will benefit in the future so they understand they need to be a little patient in the short term". Suuuuuure Bannon, sure.