The need to test for influenza and other respiratory viruses this fall will create an additional burden on the nation’s labs, which continue to struggle to meet the demand for COVID-19 testing. In preparation, some labs are preparing to multiplex (test for more than one virus at a time), but supply availability and reimbursement arrangements may hinder that effort. This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received approval for a combined molecular SARS-CoV-2-flu test. Pooled SARS-CoV-2 testing and rapid antigen testing have also been proposed to address issues with lab capacity. (Modern Healthcare story, 7/26/20)
