Building a COVID-19 testing lab? What do you need? We can help
As we enter a second wave of the pandemic, COVID-19 testing is expected to increase by more than 300% in the next 6 months. Current test facilities are straining against the sample load. Increased testing demands require new and expanded testing facilities. The race is on to provide adequate capacity to support the new CDC testing guidelines.
Currently there are two types of diagnostic tests for COVID-19: Molecular tests like RT-PCR tests which detect the virus’s RNA and antigen tests which detect proteins that the body’s white blood cells produce to fight an infection. The molecular test is the “gold” standard as it is more sensitive and accurate. This test requires a testing facility with a considerable amount of equipment. Setting up a new testing facility requires a substantial financial investment, skilled staff, and refrigerated storage space for samples and critical test reagents.
Critical equipment for such a testing facility include:
- RT-PCR,
- Class II Type A2 biological safety cabinets,
- Pipettes,
- Refrigerators for storing reagents,
- Freezers for storing samples,
- Microcentrifuge
- Centrifuge tubes and 96/384 well plates
- PPE
- Lab benches or tables
If you need assistance, GLE, LLC can help. We offer “one stop shop” options for many of the key components for your new laboratory. We will make it easy for you to get started. Many of these critical items are in stock. We also promise that we will not charge a #COVIDTax. Our prices have remained the same throughout 2020.