Eurofins U.S. Clinical Diagnostics (Luxembourg) has launched its pooled PCR test to detect SARS-CoV-2 and significantly reduce the price per PCR test for clients.

Along with sentinel assays, pooled testing will be another integral tool in Eurofins’ comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 SAFER@WORK program. The test will be offered through its network of US laboratories, including Viracor Eurofins beginning mid-August. Pooling can be used to continuously and cost-effectively monitor prescreened, low-risk groups that show a low prevalence of COVID-19 infection. It can also be used as part of surveillance testing for positive individuals in quarantine. Due to the strong sensitivity of the Eurofins’ RT-PCR assay, pooling represents a highly accurate method with very high sensitivity and excellent specificity.

In pooled testing, Eurofins will pool five specimens and then test a single PCR assay while retaining the original, individual samples. Results are typically provided within 24-48 hours. If SARS-CoV-2 is detected in the pool, individual PCR tests will be performed to definitively identify the individual sample(s) that were positive. If there is no virus detected in the pool, no further testing is required.
 

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