As of March 31, Quest Diagnostics performed 65.7 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests, 8.2 million antibody tests; Quest reports test capacity of 300,000 diagnostic tests per day, 350,000 antibody tests per day, one day average turnaround

April 7, 2022 (press release) –

This is an evolving situation. Please check back to this page periodically for the latest information. To receive these media updates, please email mediacontact@questdiagnostics.com.

B-Roll and Photos:

Testing: https://app.box.com/s/djpwi9bt8bwnaptdvvvtxkgotszvw0hp

Self Collection Kit: https://app.box.com/s/va5ciaem0yys5rpomdjxi4ew7oxqo5iq

As of April 6, 2022, at 9:00 AM EDT

Quest Diagnostics Cites Modest Uptick in Positivity Rate for COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Tests

Demand for our COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing has continued to decline since the Omicron surge, but the pace of decline has slowed in recent weeks. Our positivity rate has climbed modestly over approximately the past 2 weeks, although it remains in the low to middle single digits. We are reporting results of the vast majority of COVID-19 diagnostic tests in 1 day and are well positioned to serve any potential increase in testing demand.

Going forward, we expect to provide a media statement on our COVID-19 testing the first full week of each month with the volume of test orders for the preceding month. 

In other news:

• In late March, we notified our physician office and health system clients that we no longer expect to be reimbursed for COVID-19 testing for uninsured individuals through the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) unless additional funding is allocated to HRSA. Uninsured individuals can access a COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test for a fee of $100 from us when ordered by a client. Individuals may also access self-pay test options through our QuestDirect™ consumer-initiated test platform {$125 for a COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test ($119 with a $5.50 physician fee) and $70 for two proctored COVID-19 antigen tests}. Patients enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid or a private health plan are not affected and are expected to continue to benefit from reimbursement for COVID-19 testing services.
• Read results of our survey with Well+Good for insights into how the pandemic changed how individuals think about and access healthcare.
• The rate of positive workplace drug tests reached a 20-year high in 2021 as employers grappled with hiring and retention challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. Read more in our Drug Testing Index. 
• *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. Our molecular capacity volume includes volume from Sonora Quest, a laboratory provider in Arizona in which we are a minority joint venture owner. 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.    

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