Developments in Pooled Testing Narrow Down Positive Cases

RNA scientists analyzing saliva samples as part of the pooled surveillance testing program. Photo by Patrick Dodson.

Developments by the RNA Institute have enabled the pooled testing program to isolate individual samples out of the pools being tested – ensuring that only potentially contagious people are referred for diagnostic PCR testing and transferred to isolation housing. This means that no longer will any person who is not presumed positive for COVID-19 (even if they are part of a positive pool) have to be placed into isolation housing or be referred for additional diagnostic testing.