How the Test Works?
Trained AMRITA providers are collecting specimens. These workers are wearing personal protective equipment, including N95 masks or respirators, gowns, and gloves.
Collection occurs in negative pressure rooms. This assures that air does not leave the room until it flows through a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which removes pathogens.
The test involves a “nasopharyngeal” swab. Providers will insert a thin device into the patient’s nose into the nasal cavity to collect the specimen. We then transport the specimens for testing to AMRITA Clinical Laboratories. In most cases, we can have results within 24 hours.
We created our test using reagents approved for making a SARS-CoV-2 test and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The test is validated for use in human diagnoses under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments program of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
What Should I Do Until My Results are Available?
Patients who have their samples taken should self-isolate until they receive results. If the test is positive, we will refer patients to public health authorities to make sure they continue to get care. All positive AMRITA test results will be “presumed” positive until confirmed by the state public health laboratories. If you think you might have COVID-19 but aren’t showing symptoms like a high fever or breathing problems, call your primary care physician.