Coronavirus testing would have to be at least doubled or tripled from its current levels to allow for even a partial reopening of U.S. economy, public health experts say.
A man with a mask pushes a cart with a sign reading "corpse cartte" at Times Square in New York on March 17, 2020.Whatever the target, it is not clear when the U.S. will see such a dramatic expansion, even though Trump has previously suggested that some areas could reopen in May or even earlier. Meanwhile, state officials and hospitals continue to report shortages of swabs, reagents and other supplies needed for testing kits, as well as delays in securing test results.
Even as governors and doctors appeal for more tests and supplies, some major private labs say they are not using all of their capacity. Julie Khani, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, said:"Dedicated funding to support laboratories performing high-quality testing is still needed."
Kenneth Bernard, who advised the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush on infectious diseases, said the federal government should take charge and"pour resources" into a massive effort through the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Department of Health and Human Services to expand testing by the millions through private and state test production facilities.
Strong leadership and hands-on management from the federal government are"what's required," said J. Stephen Morrison, director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies."But obviously that's not what we're seeing so far."
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What we know about the state of coronavirus treatments, vaccines and antibody testsAs the US begins to discuss reopening the country, health experts and officials see the development of coronavirus tests, treatments and preventative strategies as crucial to taking the first step towards normalcy.
Read more »
Dr. Fauci says immunity certificates 'possible' after coronavirus pandemic. Here's what that means.As the White House and state officials quarrel over authority to lift social distancing restrictions in the U.S., European countries already past their peak of COVID-19 cases are mulling strategies to reopen.
Read more »
‘Not opening all at once’: Trump announces phases to reopen U.S.President Trump announced the White House coronavirus task force has developed a three-phase plan to reopen the U.S. and restart the economy after the coronavirus shutdown.
Read more »
Trump’s new health care legacy: Big expansion of federal roleThe Trump administration is already pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into a key health sector that it previously vowed to rein in
Read more »
The White House shakes up HHSTrump loyalist Michael Caputo is HHS’ new top spokesperson, as the White House tries to exert more control over its health department
Read more »
Column: Trump can't reopen U.S. after the virus, but governors can't either — only you and IColumn: Trump can't reopen the economy after the coronavirus, but governors can't either
Read more »