Pennsylvania's covid testing capacity ready for potential holiday influx, state officials say

In the nine months since testing for covid-19 became available, the number of tests performed in one day across Pennsylvania has increased exponentially, and the state’s testing director said Tuesday he hopes testing capacity will continue to improve and turnaround time will continue to decrease.

In early March, when the state’s Department of Health began performing its own testing rather than relying on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state lab in Chester County could test about six samples per day.

Since then, nearly 7.4 million tests have been done across Pennsylvania, and the department receives around 70,000 test results per day, according to state health officials. The hope is to continue increasing testing capacity and decrease the turnaround time for results, said Michael Huff, the state’s director of testing and contact tracing.

He pointed to the increased use of rapid antigen tests, which give results in hours rather than days, albeit they are not considered to be as accurate as the “gold standard” PCR tests.

“More often than not, you’re doing a rapid antigen test and you may have to follow it up with a PCR test,” which can create delays and confusion, Huff said.

He estimated that more accurate antigen tests could be on the horizon — possibly within the next six months — meaning test results that are accurate and quick, rather than trading one of those for the other.

Rapid antigen tests themselves were not readily available until October when the federal government bought millions and distributed them to state governments. In Pennsylvania, about 1.9 million antigen tests have been sent across the state to areas seeing spikes and significant outbreaks.

He pointed to labs across the state and country increasing their efficiency, which is why thousands of tests can be performed statewide each day rather than just a few at certain facilities.

Huff said testing sites across the state are ready for a potential influx of testing requests as Christmas and the New Year approach and residents opt for testing rather than staying home as advised.

He reiterated health officials’ pleas for people to gather only with their own household members this season, as gatherings of any size can be a chance for the virus to spread.

Federal aid will go toward testing, tracing

Huff noted that the coronavirus aid bill passed by Congress over the past few days will direct $22 billion to states for testing, tracing and mitigation. He said that while the state has not received any guidance as to the amount of money Pennsylvania will receive, plans for how to use it are already in the works.

Of that $22 billion, $2.5 billion of it will come in the form of grants for underserved areas — specifically rural areas and communities of color.

Huff said the state is also exploring ways to increase surveillance testing in places like college campuses and other congregate living facilities. He called such testing a key public health strategy alongside masking and social distancing.

“Surveillance testing of asymptomatic persons is a critical strategy for preventing the transmission of covid-19,” he said. “Once positive asymptomatic individuals are identified, they can be moved into isolation and thus no longer spread the disease.”