Take ACTion

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

Join an Alliance of over

61 MEMBERS

representing over 3.5 million people

Join an Alliance of over

61 MEMBERS

representing over 3.5 million people

Who is ACT?

ACT is a diverse alliance of organizations dedicated to promoting the importance of ongoing SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) testing and other diagnostic testing for the good of public health now and in the future.

Make an impACT

We are seeking businesses, clinicians, public health officials, elected officials, academics, and community organizations to join the Alliance for Comprehensive Testing (ACT) Against COVID. Become a member and commit to the ongoing health of our communities.

Join now

ACT against COVID: The Alliance for Comprehensive Testing is mobilized and funded by Quest Diagnostics.

Why join ACT?

Become an advocate for comprehensive testing in your community. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that accessible and reliable diagnostic testing is critical to the health and well-being of our communities—especially communities of color and vulnerable populations. We must maintain the progress that we’ve made to improve our response to health crises. By committing to ACT, you will help:

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Protect the unvaccinated. Some children and people with certain health conditions can’t be vaccinated yet and still depend on continued testing.
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Combat COVID-19 variants. Dangerous, new strains of COVID-19 put us all at risk. Testing is the best way to locate and contain new outbreaks and can help us beat the pandemic for good.

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Address hidden pandemics. Testing is critical in diagnosing and treating health conditions that may have been under-treated due to the pandemic.

It’s crucial that we continue affordable, accessible and robust COVID-19 testing programs to help mitigate exposure and reduce health inequities as part of a comprehensive strategy to protect Black lives.

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP

During the AIDS epidemic, the introduction of widespread testing helped curb the virus’ deadly spread. We can follow this successful model in stopping the spread of Covid-19 and speed the return to work, school, and everyday activities.

Michael Ruppal, Executive Director, The AIDS Institute

Now is the time to embrace the solutions given to us by science that offer a way out of this crisis, particularly for Black and brown communities that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Lamont O. Repollet Ed.D., President, Kean University

Communities have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 and implementing testing programs to identify where the virus is spreading will help us keep the infection rate under control.

Dr. Gulshan Harjee, Co-founder, Clarkston Community Health Center

We are committed to ACT

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Contact us

ACT is powered by businesses, public health organizations, unions, nonprofits, government departments, and academic groups that care about making a difference. Connect your organization with us by completing the form below.

Use the Right Test at the Right Time
Your testing plan
Make first selection
Your testing plan
For more information:

CDC overview on COVID-19 testing

Lists of EUA-authorized tests for SARS-CoV-2

Back to School Protocols
Back to Work Protocols
Calculate Cost of Screening
COVID-19 Testing Fact Sheet

ACT Tool Form

Use the Right Test at the Right Time

Let’s Begin!

I am looking for...

The right test for me

The right test for me
The right testing protocols for my organization

The right testing protocols for my organization

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

For more information:

CDC overview on COVID-19 testing

Lists of EUA-authorized tests for SARS-CoV-2

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.

Antibody testing determines the presence of antibodies that recognize markers of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, indicating that the body previously had been infected. In many diseases, the presence of antibodies confers immunity, but scientists have not verified if this is true for COVID-19. See the glossary section of our website to learn about the difference between Nucleocapsid Protein Antibody Tests and Spike Protein Antibody Tests.

PCR testing is used to accurately detect active infections. It is a type of molecular test and considered the gold standard for testing. PCR is the most commonly used nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).

Antigen testing is used to identify active infections. It expands testing capacity as a fast, reliable, and affordable screening and diagnostic option.