COVID New York update: Northwell Health’s new PCR tests could make testing faster and cheaper

NEW HYDE PARK, Long Island (WABC) – New York State’s largest hospital system is rolling out a new game-changing COVID test.

The new process will allow 10 times more testing at one-tenth the cost and is just as accurate, if not more, than the current PCR tests we have for COVID.

So why is this? It’s automated. These machines load 96 PCR tests at a time, then another machine tests 384 at a time.

The technology, called LabGold, is part of a grant to Northwell Health from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The idea was borrowed from the agricultural industry.

Scientists at the Northwell Lab in New Hyde Park demonstrated how they have now perfected it.

“Anyone who needs a test can do it easily, inexpensively, and immediately when you need it,” Northwell Labs Executive Director Dr. Dwayne Breining.

This means that there are no more test sites and the PCR turnaround is faster – about a day.

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The 6-year-old son of a doctor from Northwell showed how simple it is and you don’t have to rub your nose that high.

Eyewitness News reporter Stacey Sager also demonstrated the swab, saying “I’m not going too far, and I don’t feel like it punctures my brain.”

Northwell hopes to roll out these kits to the general public in the coming weeks, but the FDA will require people to be monitored as they do.

Ultimately, they hope people can just do the tests themselves.

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Plastic rolling at multiple points has other amazing implications. For example, he can respond if it’s not COVID – what is it.

Each point can perform PCR for things like colds, RSV, and other bugs in the future.

“And so, we’re looking at being able to run all of these on one swab – all at once,” said Northwell Labs vice president Dr Tylis Chang.

Technology that existed – but now is being accelerated by the pandemic.

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