Though the coronavirus testing landscape continues to expand, most patient samples must still be routed through laboratories for processing, and the demand is once again straining supplies, equipment and trained technicians and causing shortages. That has become increasingly essential, Dr. Martinez added, as mounting evidence has indicated that the virus can spread from people who don’t have symptoms. “Maybe if I take a test, but I don’t have many symptoms, I’m not going to take the same precautions,” she said. Health workers typically advise their patients to quarantine at home while they await their test results, out of an abundance of caution. Additionally, negative results can be of little use if they are delivered after too long of a delay.

Source: New York Times July 19, 2020 20:48 UTC