TAG:
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an acute respiratory virus. This virus causes a respiratory disease called COVID-19 and was the genesis of a global pandemic that lasted from March 11, 2020, to mid-2022.
COVID-19 typically produces minor symptoms in most people, particularly people who have received a vaccination or are in good health. In a small percentage of individuals, however, COVID-19 causes severe symptoms that include respiratory failure, sepsis, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, making it potentially deadly. SARS-CoV-2 infection does not always cause COVID-19 and is asymptomatic in some individuals.
SARS-CoV-2 spreads from person to person through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It may also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes, although this method of transmission is rarer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, attempts to slow or stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in lockdowns, masking, social distancing, and several other infection prevention measures.
Clinical discussions aside, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 introduced sweeping social and business changes in the U.S. and elsewhere:
- Many students in the U.S. attended school remotely from home for months or longer during the height of the pandemic.
- City and state governments temporarily banned large-scale, in-person events.
- Business and leisure travel ground to a near halt for a time.
- A historically significant unemployment spike in occurred in 2020.
- The “Great Resignation” saw many workers leave their jobs to retire early or seek more rewarding occupations.
The origins of SARS-CoV-2 continues to be debated. One theory holds that the virus originated from a biological laboratory in Wuhan, China. There is evidence that NIH-funded, gain-of-function research was being performed on coronaviruses in this laboratory, and some evidence suggests that a laboratory accident may have released SARS-CoV-2 into the public. The other major theory holds that SARS-CoV-2 jumped to humans from an infected animal sold at a wet market in Wuhan, China.
Since its original entry into human circulation, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone several mutations. This led to multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 that were prevalent at different points in the COVID-19 pandemic. The main SARS-CoV-2 variants include:
- Alpha (B.1.1.7), which appeared in November 2020 and was eventually displaced by the Delta variant.
- Beta (B.1.351), which was identified in late 2020 in South Africa. Beta spread to many countries but was never common in the U.S.
- Delta (B.1.617.2), which emerged in late 2020 and became the dominant strain worldwide until displaced by the Omicron variant.
- Omicron (BA.1), which was first identified in November 2021 and, as of August 2022, is the dominant strain of SARS-CoV-2.
While technically SARS-CoV-2 refers to a virus and COVID-19 refers to the disease the virus causes, these terms have become interchangeable. This has led to terms like “asymptomatic COVID-19” and “COVID-19 testing” gaining widespread use despite being technically incorrect.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on clinical laboratories, generating a huge demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing throughout the world.
SARS-CoV-2 testing primarily includes:
- Molecular testing, which detects the presence of the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are an example of molecular diagnostics.
- Antigen testing, which looks for components of SARS-CoV-2 that elicit an immune response. Antigen tests became popular at-home testing options during the pandemic.
The increased demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing led to many new clinical laboratories coming into operations, many of which focused exclusively on such testing. As the demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing declines, these labs are having to pivot to new business models or close their doors.
Public Laboratory Companies Eye More Lab Outreach Acquisitions
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 12 – August 29, 2022 Issue
PUBLICLY-TRADED CLINICAL LABORATORY COMPANIES released second quarter 2022 financial reports that confirmed a softening demand for COVID-19 tests, even as their base business revenues grew compared to last year. While continuing to address ongoing needs…
News and Insights from AACC Meeting in Chicago
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 11 – August 8, 2022 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: There was plenty of positive energy last month when the 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting and Exhibition of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) took place in Chicago. Attendees seemed pleased to be gathering and networking in person. However, there was re…
Hospital Lab Outreach Taps On-Demand Testing
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 11 – August 8, 2022 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: In this case study, clinical laboratory managers from Bryan Health in Nebraska explain how they expanded their lab outreach program to include direct-to-consumer tests. The project involved researching what tests were most appropriate without the need for a physician’…
Lab’s Anemia Program Brings in New Revenue
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, Number 9 – June 27, 2022 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: In Philadelphia, Jefferso…
Halfway Through 2022, More Changes Come at Labs
By R. Lewis Dark | From the Volume XXIX, No. 8 – June 6, 2022 Issue
APPROACHING THE MIDWAY MARK OF 2022, some clinical laboratory directors and pathologists might feel like they’ve already experienced enough changes to last the whole year. For example, since the start of 2022, we’ve seen SARS-CoV-2 testing surges co…
Labs Can Expect COVID-19 Lab Testing Audits and Federal Investigations
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 7 – May 16, 2022 Issue
This is an excerpt of a 2,081-word article in the May 16, 2022 issue of THE DARK REPORT. The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: Billions of federal dollars were paid out for needed SARS-CoV-2 testing during the pandemic. Now, even th…
Innovation Showcased at Executive War College
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 7 – May 16, 2022 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: This year’s Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management proved to be a high-energy event. A record 900 attendees showed up and responded enthusiastically to visions and predictions of a post-COVID-19 healthcare system that hungers for large volumes of…
Labs Can Expect COVID-19 Test Audits, Investigations
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 7 – May 16, 2022 Issue
CEO SUMMARY: Billions of federal …
California Cancels COVID-19 Test Contract with PerkinElmer
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 7 – May 16, 2022 Issue
CALIFORNIA HAS SHED MORE LIGHT ON THE DECISION to terminate PerkinElmer’s valuable contract to run the Valencia Branch Laboratory (VBL). The lab has been embroiled in controversy for much of its existence. The state noted that SARS-CoV-2…
IVD Firms Grow During 2022, but COVID-19 Revenue Dropped
By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXIX, No. 7 – May 16, 2022 Issue
MOST MAJOR IN VITRO DIAGNOSTICS (IVD) MANUFACTURERS started strong in 2022 as their base businesses regained steam and made up for the significant falloff in COVID-19 diagnostic test revenue. During first quarter 2022 earnings calls with invest…
CURRENT ISSUE
Volume XXXI, No. 6 – April 29, 2024
Laboratory managers will want to note that The Dark Report itself was targeted by the fraudsters who hit Change Health in a cyberattack. Also, one lab has some innovative methods of combatting the chronic staffing shortage, including hiring college graduates and students.
See the full table of contentsHow Much Laboratory Business Intelligence Have You Missed?
Lab leaders rely on THE DARK REPORT for actionable intelligence on important developments in the business of laboratory testing. Maximize the money you make-and the money you keep! Best of all, it is released every three weeks!
Sign up for TDR Insider
Join the Dark Intelligence Group FREE and get TDR Insider FREE!
Never miss a single update on the issues that matter to you and your business.
Topics
- Anatomic Pathology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Clinical Laboratory
- Clinical Laboratory Trends
- Digital Pathology
- Genetic Testing
- In Vitro Diagnostics
- IVD/Lab Informatics
- Lab Intelligence
- Lab Marketplace
- Lab Risk & Compliance
- Laboratory Automation
- Laboratory Billing
- Laboratory Compliance
- Laboratory Equipment
- Laboratory Information Systems
- Laboratory Management
- Lean Six Sigma
- Managed Care Contracts
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Pathology Trends
- People
- Uncategorized