ACT against COVID-19 - The Alliance for Comprehensive Testing

ACT against COVID-19

ACT against
COVID-19

Testing will continue to play an important role in helping to fight against COVID-19 even as vaccination numbers grow. We need comprehensive testing to help curb the spread of variants, safeguard the unvaccinated, and support ongoing wellness. Testing can also help manage the harm caused by “long haul” COVID-19 conditions and uncover hidden pandemics caused by delayed care and healthcare disparities.

Quest Diagnostics started ACT (the Alliance for Comprehensive Testing) with a diverse coalition of nonprofit, community, and business organizations. We are committed to educating the public on the value of comprehensive testing for the good of public health now and in the future.

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COVID-19 Testing 101

Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is more than looking for a “positive” or “negative” result. Learn about the different methods of testing that help combat COVID-19.

Get the facts on testing

Dive deeper into the role of each test.

Join the Alliance

It’s time to promote the value of a comprehensive testing strategy—for today and tomorrow.

Making our communities stronger, together

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Resources View more resources

Post-COVID Syndrome White Paper

Use this in-depth analysis to understand the long-term health effects caused by post-COVID syndrome.

White Paper

Dive deeper into the specific characteristics and uses of each testing method: PCR, antigen, and antibody.

Testing Brief

Get the basics in a quick and handy summary of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) testing methods.

Hidden Pandemics

Read more about how significant health issues disproporationaley affect communities of color and vulnerable populations.

Back to School Protocol

Use this guide to help students and faculty return to school in a responsible way.

Back to Work Protocol

Help employees return responsibly by implementing these COVID-19 testing protocols.

In the news

Biden to push schools to set up routine COVID testing for kids, staff

Fighting the pandemic

10/29/21

Biden to push schools to set up routine COVID testing for kids, staff

Federal report finds foreseeable, disproportionate COVID-19 fatalities, heavy toll for people …

Addressing the hidden pandemic

10/29/21

Federal report finds foreseeable, disproportionate COVID-19 fatalities, heavy toll for people …

Here’s how many student COVID absences have been prevented by ‘Test and Stay’

Returning to life responsibly

10/27/21

Here’s how many student COVID absences have been prevented by ‘Test and Stay’

Prepare for a “tsunami” of long-Covid disability claims

Supporting ongoing wellness

10/20/21

Prepare for a “tsunami” of long-Covid disability claims

Alpha, delta and more: Why virus variants are causing alarm

Combating variants of the virus

10/18/21

Alpha, delta and more: Why virus variants are causing alarm

COVID-19 Testing Will Help Reduce Quarantine and Keep Students and Staff Safe

Returning to life responsibly

10/13/21

COVID-19 Testing Will Help Reduce Quarantine and Keep Students and Staff Safe

In Conversation: The neurocognitive impact of long COVID

Supporting ongoing wellness

10/13/21

In Conversation: The neurocognitive impact of long COVID

Rapid COVID-19 Tests: When to Use Them and How They Work

Returning to life responsibly

10/13/21

Rapid COVID-19 Tests: When to Use Them and How They Work

Reducing Health Inequities While Expanding the Pipeline to Create a More Diverse Health Care Workforce

Addressing the hidden pandemic

10/08/21

Reducing Health Inequities While Expanding the Pipeline to Create a More Diverse Health Care Workforce

In-Depth: Q&A on At-Home COVID-19 tests

Returning to life responsibly

10/07/21

In-Depth: Q&A on At-Home COVID-19 tests

Read more news

Review the latest news regarding COVID-19, healthcare disparities, and ongoing wellness.

Read publications

Read the latest research on comprehensive testing for COVID-19 and other conditions.

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Take Action

Interested in joining the Alliance? Become a member and commit to the ongoing health of our communities.

Use the Right Test at the Right Time

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This tool provides additional detail when used on a desktop or laptop computer.

This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The diagnosis or treatment of any disease or condition may be based on personal history, family history, symptoms, a physical examination, laboratory test results, and other information considered important by your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about the meaning of your test results and before you stop, start, or change any medication or treatment.

The antibody tests (sometimes known as the serology tests or IgG tests) are intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. Results are for the detection of SARS CoV-2 antibodies. IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are generally detectable in blood several days after initial infection, although the duration of time antibodies are present post-infection is not well characterized. At this time, it is unknown for how long antibodies persist following infection and if the presence of antibodies confers protective immunity. Individuals may have detectable virus present for several weeks following seroconversion. Negative results do not preclude acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. If acute infection is suspected, molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2 is necessary. The antibody test should not be used to diagnose acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. False positive results for the antibody test may occur due to cross-reactivity from pre-existing antibodies or other possible causes.

The antibody tests and the molecular tests (together “All tests”) have not been FDA cleared or approved;
All tests have been authorized by FDA under EUAs for use by authorized laboratories;
The antibody tests have been authorized only for the detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens;
The molecular tests have been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens; and,
All tests are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.

What do you want to know?

Do I currently have COVID-19?

Did I have COVID-19 in the past?

Planning to travel?

Use the CDC Travel Planner to get information on travel restrictions and COVID-19 testing requirements for your destination.

Visit now

Do you have any COVID-19 symptoms right now?

Yes

No

You can ask your doctor for an antibody testing to see if you had a prior COVID-19 infection.

You can ask your doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

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Are you able to get a PCR test for
COVID-19?

Yes

No

In the last two weeks, have you been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

Yes

No

Get a PCR test to see if you have COVID-19.

You can ask your doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

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You can use an antigen test to see if
you have COVID-19.

Based on the IDSA guidelines, rapid RT-PCR or laboratory-based NAAT remain the diagnostic methods of choice for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, when molecular testing is not readily available or is logistically infeasible, antigen testing can help identify some individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall quality of available evidence supporting use of antigen testing was graded as very low to moderate.¹

Because you have symptoms, you should still isolate yourself for 10 days even with a negative antigen test. Or until you can get a follow-up PCR test for confirmation.

If your antigen test is positive, isolate yourself for 10 days and get treatment if needed.

You can ask your doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

References

Hanson KE, Altayar O, Caliendo AM, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Antigen Testing. Infectious Diseases Society of America 2021; Version 1.0.0. Published May 27, 2021. Accessed July 23, 2021. https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/covid-19-guideline-antigen-testing/

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Are you able to get a PCR test for
COVID-19?

Yes

No

You can use an antigen test to see if
you have COVID-19.

Based on the IDSA guidelines, rapid RT-PCR or laboratory-based NAAT remain the diagnostic methods of choice for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, when molecular testing is not readily available or is logistically infeasible, antigen testing can help identify some individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall quality of available evidence supporting use of antigen testing was graded as very low to moderate.¹

Because you have had a close contact, you should still isolate yourself for 10 days even with a negative antigen test. Or until you can get a follow-up PCR test confirmation.

If your antigen test is positive, isolate yourself for 10 days and get treatment if needed.

You can ask your doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

References

Hanson KE, Altayar O, Caliendo AM, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Antigen Testing. Infectious Diseases Society of America 2021; Version 1.0.0. Published May 27, 2021. Accessed July 23, 2021. https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/covid-19-guideline-antigen-testing/

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You do not need to get tested at this time.

If you still would like to get tested, a PCR test is the best option to rule out an infection. If you cannot access a PCR test, an antigen test is also a reliable option.

You can ask your doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

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Thank you!Your response has been recorded.

Finished.

Get a PCR test to see if you have COVID-19.

You can ask your doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

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Thank you!Your response has been recorded.

Finished.

Is it likely or confirmed that the symptomatic individual(s) has been exposed to COVID-19
(eg, current outbreak)?

During a high-prevalence outbreak where more than 20% of the population is infected, there is a much higher chance that individuals have been exposed to COVID-19.

Yes

No

Can PCR testing be readily obtained or performed by your organization?

Yes

No

Use antigen testing for weekly screening.

CDC recommends conducting screening tests at least weekly. If there is substantial to high community transmission, frequency of screening may need to be increased.¹ If community transmission is low, antibody testing may potentially to inform screening frequency (please note that CDC guidelines do not currently include antibody testing in screening protocols).

If results are negative, no need to isolate.

If results are positive, isolate and confirm with PCR testing.

Discontinue isolation only if PCR results are negative or after the individual has been isolated for 10 days.

Individuals can ask their doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Updated July 1, 2021. Accessed July 23, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing-overview.html

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Can PCR testing be readily obtained or performed by your organization?

Yes

No

Use antigen testing for pre-entry screening.

If results are negative, no need to isolate.

If results are positive, isolate and confirm with PCR testing.

Discontinue isolation only if PCR results are negative or after the individual has been isolated for 10 days.

Individuals can ask their doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

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Use PCR testing for diagnosis.

If results are negative,
no need to isolate.

If results are positive,
isolate and treat.

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Finished.

Use PCR testing for diagnosis.

If results are negative,
no need to isolate.

If results are positive,
isolate and treat.

Was this answer helpful?

Thank you!Your response has been recorded.

Finished.

Use antigen testing for first-line diagnosis.

Based on the IDSA guidelines, rapid RT-PCR or laboratory-based NAAT remain the diagnostic methods of choice for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, when molecular testing is not readily available or is logistically infeasible, antigen testing can help identify some individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall quality of available evidence supporting use of antigen testing was graded as very low to moderate.¹

If results are negative, isolate and confirm because this person has had a known COVID-19 exposure.

Isolate for at least 10 days or until the individual can get a confirmatory PCR test and receives negative results.

If results are positive,
isolate and treat the individual.

Individuals can ask their doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

References

Hanson KE, Altayar O, Caliendo AM, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Antigen Testing. Infectious Diseases Society of America 2021; Version 1.0.0. Published May 27, 2021. Accessed July 23, 2021. https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/covid-19-guideline-antigen-testing/

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Thank you!Your response has been recorded.

Finished.

Use antigen testing for first-line diagnosis.

Based on the IDSA guidelines, rapid RT-PCR or laboratory-based NAAT remain the diagnostic methods of choice for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, when molecular testing is not readily available or is logistically infeasible, antigen testing can help identify some individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall quality of available evidence supporting use of antigen testing was graded as very low to moderate.¹

If results are negative, no need to isolate or use confirmatory testing.

If results are positive, isolate and confirm with PCR testing.

Discontinue isolation only if PCR results are negative or after the individual has been isolated for 10 days.

Individuals can ask their doctor for testing or get tested at a public testing location.

Find a public testing location

References

Hanson KE, Altayar O, Caliendo AM, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Antigen Testing. Infectious Diseases Society of America 2021; Version 1.0.0. Published May 27, 2021. Accessed July 23, 2021. https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/covid-19-guideline-antigen-testing/

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