The CDC recently released interim guidance for use of pooled testing for COVID-19 screening. Pooled testing, which has long been used to screen blood donations for the presence of HIV or hepatitis, is expected to markedly increase the testing capacity of laboratories authorized to use the technique.
Only a handful of laboratories so far have submitted validation data to the FDA to begin pooling samples. As of July 28th, LabCorp has received an Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) from the FDA for pooled testing for COVID-19, and others such as the Stanford Medical Center have received permission to begin while the FDA completes their review.
