Quest Diagnostics has performed and reported nearly 66.5 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic and serology tests since it began to provide these services in 2020.
Due to the surge in COVID-19 testing demand, Quest is experiencing longer than usual turnaround times. Its average turnaround time for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test results is approximately two to three days.
Quest says it is taking measures to strengthen its capacity to meet rising demand, such as using its national courier, air fleet, and logistics network to balance volume across approximately two dozen COVID-19 testing laboratories. Quest also reactivated its laboratory referral partner program, which involves directing excess volume to commercial and academic labs that provide quality COVID-19 testing.
In addition, Quest provides at-home QuestDirect COVID-19 specimen collection kits for molecular (PCR/NAAT) testing via the QuestDirect consumer-initiated testing service.
*Molecular capacity refers to total potential laboratory capacity as determined by instrumentation and total possible volume of laboratory tests. Positivity rates, staffing levels, and other factors impact potential capacity.
**Turnaround time refers to the average expected number of days required to collect, transport, perform testing on and report results for a specimen. It begins at the end of the day on which a specimen was collected and ends at the end of the day on which we report the result. Turnaround time can fluctuate with demand and other factors and vary by region.
Photo: Quest Diagnostics
