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Facing Unprecedented Demand for Testing, Clinical Labs Ask Congress for Surge Capacity Fund

Public Health Preparedness and Infrastructure, ACLA News, All News, ACLA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As commercial laboratories rapidly extend considerable resources to meet demand for COVID-19 testing, ACLA President Julie Khani sent a letter to congressional leadership seeking support from the federal government.

“We are growing increasingly concerned that the federal government is not recognizing the strain on the laboratory industry to meet the demand for testing for COVID-19,” writes Khani.

As policymakers consider measures to support the public health response to COVID-19, ACLA has asked Congress to support an emergency laboratory surge capacity fund of $5 billion. These funds would help ensure that the clinical laboratory industry has the equipment, supplies, labor and resources necessary to sustain robust testing capacity for millions of Americans.

“Free testing for COVID-19 has now been promised to the American people,” said Khani. “The laboratory industry wholeheartedly supports no-cost testing but is in critical need of additional support from Congress to ensure we have the necessary staffing, supplies and equipment to fulfill that vital promise.”

Highlights from the letter are included below:

  • Since the FDA’s February 29 guidance provided an accelerated path for commercial laboratories to perform COVID-19 testing, labs within ACLA’s membership have performed approximately 43,000 tests for COVID-19. Notably, these tests have been performed absent assurances about the payment for these necessary services.
  • We are growing increasingly concerned that the federal government is not recognizing the strain on the laboratory industry to meet the demand for testing for COVID-19. Free testing for COVID-19 has now been promised to the American people. Laboratories should not bear the cost of “free” testing. Clinical laboratories need additional support from Congress to ensure we have the necessary staffing, supplies and equipment to fulfill that vital promise.
  • In the coming weeks and months, maintaining the full force of a robust lab industry will be necessary to enable other industries (e.g. airlines, cruise lines, hospitality) to recover from this crisis. As our industry extends considerable resources to meet demand, we seek support from the federal government so that we can continue our vital work for many months to come.

To view the full letter, click here

 

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ACLA is a not-for-profit association representing the nation’s leading clinical and anatomic pathology laboratories, including national, regional, specialty, hospital, ESRD and nursing home laboratories. The clinical laboratory industry employs nearly 295,000 people directly, and generates over 117,000 additional jobs in supplier industries. Clinical laboratories are at the forefront of personalized medicine, driving diagnostic innovation and contributing more than $106 billion to the nation’s economy.

Statement on Recent FDA Actions To Expand COVID-19 Testing

Public Health Preparedness and Infrastructure, ACLA News, All News, Featured News, ACLA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the FDA’s actions announced on March 16, ACLA President Julie Khani released the following statement:

“The FDA’s guidance released on Saturday, February 29th cleared the regulatory hurdles to allow commercial labs to immediately begin testing patients as soon as test validation was complete, and our members began accepting specimens for testing less than a week later.

The FDA has recently taken several positive steps to make additional platforms and instruments available to provide accelerated access to diagnostic tests for patients. For example, the March 13 updated guidance expanding eligible swabs was an important step forward, as it allowed commercial laboratories to work with additional suppliers to access necessary specimen collection tools. In addition, the recent FDA approval of large automated platforms for testing is expected to dramatically increase testing capacity. Assuming there are no delays or shortages of necessary materials and supplies, commercial capacity is expected to exceed 280,000 tests per week by April 1.

ACLA is reviewing the FDA’s actions announced last night. While New York State Dept of Health has a long-established and experienced oversight program for Lab Developed Tests (LDTs), this is not the case for every state. To maintain specimen integrity and deliver the clear and reliable results that patients and clinicians depend on, it is essential that all laboratories conducting testing for COVID-19, regardless of location or state, have the appropriate expertise, equipment and training to do so.”

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ACLA is a not-for-profit association representing the nation’s leading clinical and anatomic pathology laboratories, including national, regional, specialty, hospital, ESRD and nursing home laboratories. The clinical laboratory industry employs nearly 295,000 people directly, and generates over 117,000 additional jobs in supplier industries. Clinical laboratories are at the forefront of personalized medicine, driving diagnostic innovation and contributing more than $106 billion to the nation’s economy.

Commercial Labs Step Up Capacity, Collaborate With Public Health Partners To Respond To National Emergency

Public Health Preparedness and Infrastructure, ACLA News, All News, ACLA In The News, Featured News, ACLA Press Releases

Commercial capacity is expected to exceed 20,000 tests per day nationwide by end of next week, 280,000 tests per week by April 1.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commercial laboratories have stepped up to bring critical COVID-19 testing capacity to the U.S. health care system. Following the FDA’s guidance on February 29 that provided an accelerated path for commercial laboratories to perform COVID-19 testing, commercial laboratories introduced high-throughput Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) to significantly expand testing capabilities across the country, with the current capacity of processing several thousand tests a day.

Once additional FDA-approved high-throughput testing is available on large diagnostic platforms next week, the industry expects its capacity to be increased to more than 20,000 tests per day. Assuming there are no delays or shortages of necessary materials and supplies, commercial capacity is expected to exceed 280,000 tests per week by April 1.

“This national emergency means commercial labs are being asked to step up in unprecedented ways, and we are answering that call,” said Julie Khani, president of ACLA. “We are committed to supporting our public health partners and rapid response efforts and will remain in constant communication with HHS and the Administration about our response, the obstacles we face, and other information as the situation evolves.”

ACLA members, including ARUP, BioReference Laboratories, LabCorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and Sonic Healthcare are currently working on scaling up capacity and are part of a newly-formed consortium working together with the Administration, the CDC and FDA as well as state and local public health labs, hospitals and academic medical centers.

ACLA has worked closely with the CDC and other federal agencies to help anticipate any potential shortages laboratories may face down the line. As a part of this ongoing communication with federal agencies, ACLA has raised concerns about potential shortages of certain supplies that may affect testing capacity, including specimen collection swabs, N95 respirators, viral transport media, masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.

“The Administration and HHS are supportive of our expanded efforts,” said Khani. “We’ll continue our real time communication to ensure we are being proactive in response to any supply chain issues.”

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ACLA is a not-for-profit association representing the nation’s leading clinical and anatomic pathology laboratories, including national, regional, specialty, hospital, ESRD and nursing home laboratories. The clinical laboratory industry employs nearly 295,000 people directly, and generates over 117,000 additional jobs in supplier industries. Clinical laboratories are at the forefront of personalized medicine, driving diagnostic innovation and contributing more than $106 billion to the nation’s economy.

COVID-19 Response Efforts: Role of Clinical Laboratories

Public Health Preparedness and Infrastructure, All News, Featured News

Last Updated March 2023

Recent Updates

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COVID-19 Tests Performed By ACLA Members

Molecular PCR tests performed by ACLA members

The below data set contains a snapshot of daily tests performed by ACLA member laboratories from March 2020 through May 2021. For updated statistics, please visit the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

DateApproximate Tests PerformedApproximate Total Tests to Date
May 27, 2021170,000125,397,000
May 26, 2021183,000125,227,000
May 25, 2021188,000125,044,000
May 24, 202185,000124,856,000
May 23, 202185,000124,772,000
May 22, 2021159,000124,686,000
May 21, 2021179,000124,532,000
May 20, 2021197,000124,354,000
May 19, 2021218,000124,168,000
May 18, 2021215,000123,945,000
May 17, 202193,000123,736,000
May 16, 202199,000123,652,000
May 15, 2021185,000123,552,000
May 14, 2021195,000123,366,000
May 13, 2021218,000123,171,000
May 12, 2021240,000123,179,000
May 11, 2021231,000122,939,000
May 10, 2021100,000122,709,000
May 9, 2021111,000122,610,000
May 8, 2021188,000122,496,000
May 7, 2021216,000122,309,000
May 6, 2021236,000122,095,000
May 5, 2021264,000121,859,000
May 4, 2021249,000121,595,000
May 3, 2021106,000121,345,000
May 2, 2021114,000121,243,000
May 1, 2021216,000121,129,000
April 30, 2021228,000120,913,000
April 29, 2021260,000120,685,000
April 28, 2021276,000120,416,000
April 27, 2021260,000120,140,000
April 26, 2021113,000119,880,000
April 25, 2021131,000119,771,000
April 24, 2021233,000119,639,000
April 23, 2021249,000119,408,000
April 22, 2021258,000119,158,000
April 21, 2021298,000118,900,000
April 20, 2021274,000118,601,000
April 19, 2021121,000118,326,000
April 18, 2021144,000118,205,000
April 17, 2021241,000118,061,000
April 16, 2021257,000117,819,000
April 15, 2021282,000117,546,000
April 14, 2021310,000117,264,000
April 13, 2021260,000116,954,000
April 12, 2021125,000116,694,000
April 11, 2021150,000116,565,000
April 10, 2021243,000116,415,000
April 9, 2021260,000116,172,000
April 8, 2021292,000115,921,000
April 7, 2021311,000115,629,000
April 6, 2021265,000115,318,000
April 5, 2021119,000115,052,000
April 4, 2021150,000114,938,000
April 3, 2021237,000114,787,000
April 2, 2021263,000114,551,000
April 1, 2021286,000114,288,000
March 31, 2021303,000114,005,000
March 30, 2021274,000113,702,000
March 29, 2021134,000113,429,000
March 28, 2021152,000113,297,000
March 27, 2021251,000113,146,000
March 26, 2021271,000112,895,000
March 25, 2021285,000112,622,000
March 24, 2021305,000112,321,000
March 23, 2021273,000112,016,000
March 22, 2021130,000111,743,000
March 21, 2021145,000111,613,000
March 20, 2021240,000111,467,000
March 19, 2021262,000111,226,000
March 18, 2021292,000110,964,000
March 17, 2021311,000110,675,000
March 16, 2021267,000110,365,000
March 15, 2021130,000110,098,000
March 14, 2021165,000109,970,000
March 13, 2021237,000109,805,000
March 12, 2021267,000109,570,000
March 11, 2021285,000109,302,000
March 10, 2021332,000109,032,000
March 9, 2021294,000108,701,000
March 8, 2021131,000108,411,000
March 7, 2021147,000108,280,000
March 6, 2021260,000108,133,000
March 5, 2021283,000107,874,000
March 4, 2021312,000107,591,000
March 3, 2021291,000107,279,000
March 2, 2021296,000106,989,000
March 1, 2021143,000106,692,000
February 28, 2021160,000106,529,000
February 27, 2021278,000106,367,000
February 26, 2021302,000106,089,000
February 25, 2021337,000105,787,000
February 24, 2021385,000105,446,000
February 23, 2021321,000105,061,000
February 22, 2021162,000104,739,000
February 21, 2021182,000104,591,000
February 20, 2021267,000104,405,000
February 19, 2021266,000104,138,000
February 18, 2021283,000103,872,000
February 17, 2021293,000103,607,000
February 16, 2021224,000103,313,000
February 15, 2021157,000103,089,000
February 14, 2021175,000102,932,000
February 13, 2021298,000102,756,000
February 12, 2021334,000102,458,000
February 11, 2021382,000102,124,000
February 10, 2021394,000101,751,000
February 9, 2021355,000101,358,000
February 8, 2021167,000101,003,000
February 7, 2021231,000100,851,000
February 6, 2021363,000100,618,000
February 5, 2021399,000100,255,000
February 4, 2021423,00099,864,000
February 3, 2021420,00099,440,000
February 2, 2021325,00099,020,000
February 1, 2021171,00098,695,000
January 31, 2021268,00098,527,000
January 30, 2021393,00098,257,000
January 29, 2021431,00097,864,000
January 28, 2021475,00097,433,000
January 27, 2021521,00096,957,000
January 26, 2021382,00096,437,000
January 25, 2021235,00096,055,000
January 24, 2021342,00095,829,000
January 23, 2021445,00095,486,000
January 22, 2021476,00095,041,000
January 21, 2021509,00094,573,000
January 20, 2021515,00094,064,000
January 19, 2021410,00093,550,000
January 18, 2021233,00093,140,000
January 17, 2021361,00092,915,000
January 16, 2021488,00092,554,000
January 15, 2021539,00092,066,000
January 14, 2021580,00091,527,000
January 13, 2021587,00090,947,000
January 12, 2021467,00090,360,000
January 11, 2021317,00089,893,000
January 10, 2021431,00089,553,000
January 9, 2021526,00089,122,000
January 8, 2021583,00088,595,000
January 7, 2021601,00088,067,000
January 6, 2021594,00087,465,000
January 5, 2021445,00086,872,000
January 4, 2021300,00086,427,000
January 3, 2021294,00086,129,000
January 2, 2021333,00085,833,000
January 1, 2021471,00085,500,000
December 31, 2020557,00085,029,000
December 30, 2020582,00084,472,000
December 29, 2020424,00083,891,000
December 28, 2020243,00083,467,000
December 27, 2020293,00083,236,000
December 26, 2020300,00082,950,000
December 25, 2020479,00082,650,000
December 24, 2020580,00082,190,000
December 23, 2020588,00081,610,000
December 22, 2020460,00081,021,000
December 21, 2020360,00080,561,000
December 20, 2020442,00080,215,000
December 19, 2020538,00079,783,000
December 18, 2020555,00079,245,000
December 17, 2020551,00078,690,000
December 16, 2020560,00078,140,000
December 15, 2020461,00077,580,000
December 14, 2020338,00077,120,000
December 13, 2020476,00076,786,000
December 12, 2020556,00076,310,000
December 11, 2020568,00075,754,000
December 10, 2020592,00075,186,000
December 9, 2020559,00074,594,000
December 8, 2020454,00074,035,000
December 7, 2020385,00073,581,000
December 6, 2020458,00073,196,000
December 5, 2020547,00072,737,000
December 4, 2020555,00072,191,000
December 3, 2020570,00071,646,000
December 2, 2020556,00071,076,000
December 1, 2020416,00070,519,000
November 30, 2020313,00070,103,000
November 29, 2020400,00069,790,000
November 28, 2020461,00069,390,000
November 27, 2020485,00068,951,000
November 26, 2020550,00068,466,000
November 25, 2020603,00067,916,000
November 24, 2020515,00067,313,000
November 23, 2020460,00066,780,000
November 22, 2020514,00066,337,000
November 21, 2020561,00065,823,000
November 20, 2020547,00065,262,000
November 19, 2020577,00064,707,000
November 18, 2020545,00064,129,000
November 17, 2020500,00063,585,000
November 16, 2020378,00063,084,000
November 15, 2020445,00062,706,000
November 14, 2020490,00062,261,000
November 13, 2020486,00061,772,000
November 12, 2020500,00061,267,000
November 11, 2020495,00060,767,000
November 10, 2020377,00060,271,000
November 9, 2020320,00059,895,000
November 8, 2020386,00059,575,000
November 7, 2020474,00059,189,000
November 6, 2020444,00058,714,000
November 5, 2020456,00058,261,000
November 4, 2020442,00057,805,000
November 3, 2020350,00057,363,000
November 2, 2020289,00057,013,000
November 1, 2020361,00056,724,000
October 31, 2020399,00056,364,000
October 30, 2020359,00055,965,000
October 29, 2020424,00055,599,000
October 28, 2020419,00055,175,000
October 27, 2020326,00054,755,000
October 26, 2020258,00054,429,000
October 25, 2020323,00054,170,000
October 24, 2020407,00053,834,000
October 23, 2020419,00053,427,000
October 22, 2020400,00053,008,000
October 21, 2020397,00052,608,000
October 20, 2020296,00052,211,000
October 19, 2020202,00051,915,000
October 18, 2020316,00051,712,000
October 17, 2020385,00051,395,000
October 16, 2020367,00051,010,000
October 15, 2020407,00050,651,000
October 14, 2020375,00050,244,000
October 13, 2020309,00049,869,000
October 12, 2020248,00049,560,000
October 11, 2020330,00049,312,000
October 10, 2020381,00048,983,000
October 9, 2020397,00048,603,000
October 8, 2020406,00048,203,000
October 7, 2020399,00047,797,000
October 6, 2020284,00047,398,000
October 5, 2020195,00047,114,000
October 4, 2020259,00046,913,000
October 3, 2020330,00046,651,000
October 2, 2020344,00046,322,000
October 1, 2020381,00045,979,000
September 30, 2020363,00045,598,000
September 29, 2020268,00045,235,000
September 28, 2020178,00044,967,000
September 27, 2020244,00044,789,000
September 26, 2020337,00044,540,000
September 25, 2020361,00044,203,000
September 24, 2020357,00043,842,000
September 23, 2020348,00043,485,000
September 22, 2020253,00043,137,000
September 21, 2020156,00042,884,000
September 20, 2020253,00042,723,000
September 19, 2020326,00042,475,000
September 18, 2020350,00042,149,000
September 17, 2020338,00041,772,000
September 16, 2020326,00041,434,000
September 15, 2020236,000
41,108,000
September 14, 2020167,00040,872,000
September 13, 2020256,00040,705,000
September 12, 2020311,00040,450,000
September 11, 2020300,00040,139,000
September 10, 2020331,00039,847,000
September 9, 2020242,00039,516,000
September 8, 2020141,00039,274,000
September 7, 2020144,00039,133,000
September 6, 2020235,00038,986,000
September 5, 2020283,00038,751,000
September 4, 2020317,00038,468,000
September 3, 2020331,00038,151,000
September 2, 2020305,00037,820,000
September 1, 2020232,00037,515,000
August 31, 2020177,00037,283,000
August 30, 2020256,00037,106,000
August 29, 2020318,00036,850,000
August 28, 2020334,00036,531,000
August 27, 2020330,00036,191,000
August 26, 2020324,00035,862,000
August 25, 2020246,000
35,538,000
August 24, 2020180,00035,291,000
August 23, 2020244,00035,111,000
August 22, 2020329,00034,867,000
August 21, 2020333,00034,538,000
August 20, 2020369,00034,204,000
August 19, 2020348,00033,835,000
August 18, 2020255,00033,487,000
August 17, 2020206,00033,232,000
August 16, 2020271,00033,026,000
August 15, 2020328,00032,741,000
August 14, 2020364,00032,413,000
August 13, 2020369,00032,049,000
August 12, 2020363,00031,680,000
August 11, 2020301,00031,317,000
August 10, 2020264,00031,016,000
August 9, 2020319,00030,752,000
August 8, 2020373,00030,433,000
August 7, 2020397,00030,059,000
August 6, 2020378,00029,662,000
August 5, 2020388,00029,295,000
August 4, 2020308,00028,907,000
August 3, 2020279,00028,600,000
August 2, 2020345,00028,321,000
August 1, 2020383,00027,971,000
July 31, 2020378,00027,588,000
July 30, 2020408,00027,210,000
July 29, 2020391,00026,802,000
July 28, 2020349,00026,411,000
July 27, 2020320,00026,062,000
July 26, 2020380,00025,742,000
July 25, 2020425,00025,362,000
July 24, 2020419,00024,925,000
July 23, 2020419,00024,506,000
July 22, 2020410,00024,088,000
July 21, 2020368,00023,678,000
July 20, 2020341,00023,309,000
July 19, 2020356,00022,968,000
July 18, 2020378,00022,610,000
July 17, 2020366,00022,233,000
July 16, 2020369,00021,868,000
July 15, 2020390,00021,499,000
July 14, 2020349,00021,109,000
July 13, 2020325,00020,760,000
July 12, 2020323,00020,434,000
July 11, 2020358,00020,111,000
July 10, 2020350,00019,753,000
July 9, 2020355,00019,410,000
July 8, 2020349,00019,055,000
July 7, 2020300,00018,706,000
July 6, 2020274,00018,406,000
July 5, 2020290,00018,133,000
July 4, 2020351,00017,843,000
July 3, 2020362,00017,492,000
July 2, 2020348,00017,131,000
July 1, 2020335,00016,782,000
June 30, 2020307,00016,447,000
June 29, 2020263,00016,140,000
June 28, 2020287,00015,877,000
June 27, 2020319,00015,589,000
June 26, 2020332,00015,270,000
June 25, 2020317,00014,942,000
June 24, 2020308,00014,625,000
June 23, 2020263,00014,317,000
June 22, 2020219,00014,054,000
June 21, 2020234,00013,835,000
June 20, 2020300,00013,601,000
June 19, 2020291,00013,291,000
June 18, 2020295,00013,000,000
June 17, 2020282,00012,706,000
June 16, 2020240,00012,424,000
June 15, 2020207,00012,185,000
June 14, 2020229,00011,978,000
June 13, 2020265,00011,744,000
June 12, 2020262,00011,479,000
June 11, 2020254,00011,217,000
June 10, 2020255,00010,962,000
June 9, 2020204,00010,707,000
June 8, 2020167,00010,503,000
June 7, 2020215,00010,336,000
June 6, 2020229,00010,121,000
June 5, 2020256,0009,892,000
June 4, 2020264,0009,627,000
June 3, 2020245,0009,364,000
June 2, 2020214,0009,199,000
June 1, 2020190,0008,905,000
May 31, 2020215,0008,715,000
May 30, 2020226,0008,500,000
May 29, 2020238,0008,274,000
May 28, 2020218,0008,030,000
May 27, 2020209,0007,812,000
May 26, 2020163,0007,604,000
May 25, 2020179,0007,441,000
May 24, 2020192,0007,262,000
May 23, 2020198,0007,070,000
May 22, 2020200,0006,872,000
May 21, 2020203,0006,672,000
May 20, 2020190,0006,467,000
May 19, 2020165,0006,277,000
May 18, 2020134,0006,112,000
May 17, 2020159,0005,978,000
May 16, 2020179,0005,819,000
May 15, 2020177,0005,640,000
May 14, 2020180,0005,455,000
May 13, 2020163,0005,275,000
May 12, 2020139,0005,112,000
May 11, 202096,0004,972,000
May 10, 2020125,0004,876,000
May 9, 2020142,0004,752,000
May 8, 2020148,000 4,610,000
May 7, 2020145,0004,462,000
May 6, 2020147,0004,316,000
May 5, 2020121,0004,170,000
May 4, 202086,0004,048,000
May 3, 2020105,0003,963,000
May 2, 2020123,0003,858,000
May 1, 2020130,0003,735,000
April 30, 2020125,0003,605,000
April 29, 2020118,0003,480,000
April 28, 202098,0003,362,000
April 27, 202066,4553,264,000
April 26, 202090,0003,197,000
April 25, 2020112,0003,107,000
April 24, 2020115,0002,995,000
April 23, 2020109,0002,880,000
April 22, 2020105,000 2,771,000
April 21, 202083,0002,666,000
April 20, 202056,0002,583,000
April 19, 202068,0002,527,000
April 18, 202088,0002,459,000
April 17, 202091,0002,371,000
April 16, 202085,0002,280,000
April 15, 202076,0002,195,000
April 14, 202063,0002,119,000
April 13, 202043,0002,056,000
April 12, 202075,0002,013,000
April 11, 202091,0001,937,000
April 10, 202097,0001,846,000
April 9, 202095,0001,749,000
April 8, 202099,0001,654,000
April 7, 202075,0001,555,000
April 6, 202072,0001,480,000
April 5, 2020108,0001,408,000
April 4, 2020106,0001,300,000
April 3, 2020101,0001,194,000
April 2, 2020102,0001,093,000
April 1, 202092,000992,000
March 31, 202092,000900,000
March 30, 202075,000807,000
March 29, 202082,000732,000
March 28, 202084,000650,000
March 27, 202080,000565,000
March 26, 202080,000485,000
March 25, 202067,000405,000
March 24, 202057,000338,000
March 23, 202047,000281,000
March 22, 202051,000234,000
March 21, 202054,000183,000
March 20, 202041,000129,000
March 19, 202025,00088,000
March 18, 202020,10063,000
March 17, 202014,30043,000
March 16, 20208,20027,000

*Daily testing totals from May 30 – June 2 have been updated to reflect additional reporting. Total tests to date were updated on December 11, 2020 to reflect additional reporting.

 

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, including proper preventative measures, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) is the national trade association representing leading laboratories that deliver essential diagnostic health information to patients and providers. ACLA members are at the forefront of driving diagnostic innovation to meet the country’s evolving health care needs and provide vital clinical laboratory tests that identify and prevent infectious, acute and chronic disease. ACLA works to advance the next generation of health care delivery through policies that expand access to lifesaving testing services.

Commercial Labs Announce Plans to Provide COVID-19 Testing

Public Health Preparedness and Infrastructure, ACLA News, All News, Featured News, ACLA Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FDA’s latest guidance released over the weekend provided an accelerated path for high-complexity laboratories to support additional testing capacity in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Prior to Saturday’s announcement, ACLA members were already working to develop novel tests for COVID-19. Additionally, we have been in close communication with public health agencies since January as part of our existing memorandum of understanding with the CDC, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.

Today, clinical labs are stepping up in their own capacities to meet the growing demand for national testing, even without financial assurance from the federal government. ACLA members are accelerating deployment of COVID-19 tests, and today, three ACLA members announced the availability of COVID-19 testing in the coming days.

We appreciated the opportunity to meet yesterday with Vice President Pence and the White House’s Coronavirus Task Force, and are committed to continuing our work with the Administration, the CDC and the FDA, as well as state and local public health labs, hospitals and academic medical centers to address this challenge.