Pooled Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Hospitalized Patients

J Hosp Med. 2020 Jul:15:538-539. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3501.

Abstract

Viral testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), particularly early in the COVID-19 pandemic, was limited by supply of reagents. We pooled nasopharyngeal samples from patients at low risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in groups of 3 for testing. Three weeks of testing using this strategy resulted in 530 patient tests in 179 cartridges; 4 positive test groups required the use of 11 additional cartridges with an overall positive rate of 0.8% in a low-risk population. This strategy resulted in the use of 340 fewer cartridges than if each test were performed on one patient sample. Pooled testing of low-risk populations allows for continued testing even when supplies are relatively scarce.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / genetics*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Genetic Testing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Inpatients*
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • DNA, Viral