Huntsville-based company Diatherix has developed a new test capable of confirming a case of COVID-19, according to a release from the group on Tuesday.
The company is accepting samples and performing the tests as of Tuesday morning. They are promising results back the same day they receive a specimen.
Diatherix is a lab-connected testing company, meaning it will not deal directly with patients and is not a healthcare provider.
The new test identifies both the COVID-19 causing virus and five pathogens that can indicate the level of severity a patient’s complications might reach.
Alabamians who are displaying symptoms of the coronavirus — fever, cough, shortness of breath — should call their doctor or a medical care facility to determine whether they are in need of screening.
Citizens not experiencing symptoms are encouraged to wash their hands and stay six feet away from others in public.
Screening, the taking of samples from the nose or throat, is happening at various facilities around Alabama.
The samples taken are shipped off to labs, such as the one run by Diatherix, where tests are performed.
Diatherix is located on the campus of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in the Rocket City’s research park.
Diatherix is affiliated with the large scientific testing group Eurofins. The tests developed by the Diatherix will be used at other Eurofin-linked labs across the United States.
Medical facilities wanting to get in touch with Diatherix can click here.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
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