The Importance Of COVID Testing K-12 Students and Staff

New Back to School Testing using Saliva

As schools open across the nation, it’s important to do everything to keep children and staff safe and healthy –

Spectrum Editorial Team
September 1 st, 2021

After all, we want our children to participate in in-school learning so they can have the benefits of a quality, hands-on education. Unfortunately, not only has COVID-19 significantly disrupted school attendance and learning, it’s also impacted their involvement in all extracurricular activities that provide an important outlet for emotional and social development.

Parents shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their children safe and healthy and having them receive the education and development opportunities they need. In addition to mask-wearing, physical distancing, and now vaccinations COVID-19 testing is one of many mitigation measures we hear about. With the goal of seeing students fully return to the classroom, understanding early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is critical to reducing the asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread of COVID-19. While the CDC recommends weekly testing of teachers, school staff, and testing of students, testing strategies may vary depending on a school district’s resources.

Fortunately, the Biden administration allocated $10 billion toward implementing COVID-19 screening tests for teachers, staff, and students. In a press release, HHS acting Secretary Norris Chocran said, “COVID-19 testing is critical to saving lives and restoring economic activity. As part of the Biden Administration’s National Strategy, HHS will continue to expand our capacity to get testing to the individuals and the places that need it most, so we can prevent transmission of the virus and defeat the pandemic.”

Several educational institutions like yours welcome students back into the classroom using the Spectrum K-12 Program. This toolkit provides information to help K-12 in-person learning by implementing painless and accurate COVID19 testing. The benefits of integrating an easily scalable testing program that’s been walked out in its application thousands of times, are the knowledge and assurance of a proven, validated, and supported plan.

Here’s a look at what you can expect from the Spectrum K-12 Program.

New Back to School Testing using Saliva

New Back to School Testing using Saliva

The Importance Of COVID Testing K-12 Students and Staff

As schools open across the nation, it’s important to do everything to keep children and staff safe and healthy –

Spectrum Editorial Team
September 1 st, 2021

After all, we want our children to participate in in-school learning so they can have the benefits of a quality, hands-on education. Unfortunately, not only has COVID-19 significantly disrupted school attendance and learning, it’s also impacted their involvement in all extracurricular activities that provide an important outlet for emotional and social development.

Parents shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their children safe and healthy and having them receive the education and development opportunities they need. In addition to mask-wearing, physical distancing, and now vaccinations COVID-19 testing is one of many mitigation measures we hear about. With the goal of seeing students fully return to the classroom, understanding early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is critical to reducing the asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread of COVID-19. While the CDC recommends weekly testing of teachers, school staff, and testing of students, testing strategies may vary depending on a school district’s resources.

Fortunately, the Biden administration allocated $10 billion toward implementing COVID-19 screening tests for teachers, staff, and students. In a press release, HHS acting Secretary Norris Chocran said, “COVID-19 testing is critical to saving lives and restoring economic activity. As part of the Biden Administration’s National Strategy, HHS will continue to expand our capacity to get testing to the individuals and the places that need it most, so we can prevent transmission of the virus and defeat the pandemic.”

Several educational institutions like yours welcome students back into the classroom using the Spectrum K-12 Program. This toolkit provides information to help K-12 in-person learning by implementing painless and accurate COVID19 testing. The benefits of integrating an easily scalable testing program that’s been walked out in its application thousands of times, are the knowledge and assurance of a proven, validated, and supported plan.

Here’s a look at what you can expect from the Spectrum K-12 Program.

Rapid Antigen Testing

There are two primary types of COVID-19  diagnostic tests – polymerase chain reaction testing (or PCR testing) and rapid antigen testing. Rapid antigen testing analyzes a sample, typically from a nasal swab or blood test, to look for evidence of antigens in your body. It’s important to know what antigens are to understand how antigen testing works. Antigens are proteins that your body creates in response to a virus entering your body, and their job is to trigger your body to create antibodies which then defend your body against the illness.

While antigen testing can be useful, it requires the presence of a high number of antigens in the body before the test can register. If an antigen test comes back positive, it’s very likely that the positive result is accurate. However, it is very easy to get a false negative on an antigen COVID test. In fact, because of how easy it is to have false-negative results from the antigen tests, they are considered to be only about 40-60% accurate overall.

The benefit to rapid testing, despite its tendency towards inaccuracy, is the speed at which you can get results on the test. It takes only about 15 minutes to do an antigen test, and it does not require any lab equipment. The speed of this test is a big reason why it has been used for COVID-19. However, when people receive a negative result on their antigen test, they often have to get a PCR test as well to make sure that the negative was not a false negative.

Rapid Antigen Testing

There are two primary types of COVID-19  diagnostic tests – polymerase chain reaction testing (or PCR testing) and rapid antigen testing. Rapid antigen testing analyzes a sample, typically from a nasal swab or blood test, to look for evidence of antigens in your body. It’s important to know what antigens are to understand how antigen testing works. Antigens are proteins that your body creates in response to a virus entering your body, and their job is to trigger your body to create antibodies which then defend your body against the illness.

While antigen testing can be useful, it requires the presence of a high number of antigens in the body before the test can register. If an antigen test comes back positive, it’s very likely that the positive result is accurate. However, it is very easy to get a false negative on an antigen COVID test. In fact, because of how easy it is to have false-negative results from the antigen tests, they are considered to be only about 40-60% accurate overall.

The benefit to rapid testing, despite its tendency towards inaccuracy, is the speed at which you can get results on the test. It takes only about 15 minutes to do an antigen test, and it does not require any lab equipment. The speed of this test is a big reason why it has been used for COVID-19. However, when people receive a negative result on their antigen test, they often have to get a PCR test as well to make sure that the negative was not a false negative.

PCR Testing –
The Gold Standard for a Reason

PCR testing is done in a certified laboratory with results available the next day. This is the exact same testing process your doctor would order from the lab if you needed, for example, a STREP test. The PCR test process is looking for genetic evidence of the virus in your body, specifically the RNA of the virus. Samples were typically collected through nasal swabs, however, after studies have shown a 100% positive agreement between the two biomaterials, the pain-free and noninvasive self-collection of saliva is fast becoming the preferred biosample for PCR testing.

Whether you get a nasal swab or saliva PCR test, it is likely the results will be more accurate than a rapid antigen test. This is because the test is looking for something different and PCR testing doesn’t need a large volume of a virus’s genetic material present. In fact, testing that incorporates the Spectrum Solutions saliva collection system is able to detect an infection with as few as 200 copies per microliter (A microliter is a unit of volume equal to 1/1,000,000th of a liter (one-millionth) compared to rapid antigen testing which requires 10,000 to 20,000 copies per microliter. In addition, PCR testing is considered to be 100% accurate compared to the 40-60% accuracy of the rapid test.]

Some people have avoided the PCR test because it was less comfortable than the rapid test as the nasal swab often had to go clear to the back of the throat through the nose. But with the availability of saliva PCR “spit testing”, comfort is no longer an issue. So it’s become much easier to use this more accurate test than it used to be with many at-home sample collection options.

Truly, the only downside to PCR testing if you can call it a downside, even saliva PCR testing, is that it takes longer to get results (about 24-hours). With testing processed at a lab, it simply takes more time to transport samples. In most cases, accuracy in testing is preferable to speed. Still, there may be a time when you need a fast test completed and accuracy isn’t as important (possibly in a screening scenario). In this case, a rapid test fits the bill. However, if about 24 hours can fit in your time frame, the PCR test will still be the best option.

Need Home or Work Saliva PCR Testing Kits?

At Spectrum Solutions, we offer a variety of saliva-based DNA testing, and the COVID-19 PCR test is one of the tests we offer. If you need a COVID test done from home, or if you are looking for COVID tests available at your workplace, a Spectrum Solutions full-service testing partner can send you these saliva-based PCR COVID-19 tests. These tests will be simple to administer without medical professionals, and the results will be highly accurate. Order these tests today so you and your business are prepared to give COVID-19 tests when needed.

PCR Testing –
The Gold Standard for a Reason

PCR testing is done in a certified laboratory with results available the next day. This is the exact same testing process your doctor would order from the lab if you needed, for example, a STREP test. The PCR test process is looking for genetic evidence of the virus in your body, specifically the RNA of the virus. Samples were typically collected through nasal swabs, however, after studies have shown a 100% positive agreement between the two biomaterials, the pain-free and noninvasive self-collection of saliva is fast becoming the preferred biosample for PCR testing.

Whether you get a nasal swab or saliva PCR test, it is likely the results will be more accurate than a rapid antigen test. This is because the test is looking for something different and PCR testing doesn’t need a large volume of a virus’s genetic material present. In fact, testing that incorporates the Spectrum Solutions saliva collection system is able to detect an infection with as few as 200 copies per microliter (A microliter is a unit of volume equal to 1/1,000,000th of a liter (one-millionth) compared to rapid antigen testing which requires 10,000 to 20,000 copies per microliter. In addition, PCR testing is considered to be 100% accurate compared to the 40-60% accuracy of the rapid test.]

Some people have avoided the PCR test because it was less comfortable than the rapid test as the nasal swab often had to go clear to the back of the throat through the nose. But with the availability of saliva PCR “spit testing”, comfort is no longer an issue. So it’s become much easier to use this more accurate test than it used to be with many at-home sample collection options.

Truly, the only downside to PCR testing if you can call it a downside, even saliva PCR testing, is that it takes longer to get results (about 24-hours). With testing processed at a lab, it simply takes more time to transport samples. In most cases, accuracy in testing is preferable to speed. Still, there may be a time when you need a fast test completed and accuracy isn’t as important (possibly in a screening scenario). In this case, a rapid test fits the bill. However, if about 24 hours can fit in your time frame, the PCR test will still be the best option.

Need Home or Work Saliva PCR Testing Kits?

At Spectrum Solutions, we offer a variety of saliva-based DNA testing, and the COVID-19 PCR test is one of the tests we offer. If you need a COVID test done from home, or if you are looking for COVID tests have available at your workplace, a Spectrum Solutions full-service testing partner can send you these saliva-based PCR COVID-19 tests. These tests will be simple to administer without medical professionals, and the results will be highly accurate. Order these tests today so you and your business are prepared to give COVID-19 tests when needed.

Major League Baseball Logo

Bringing Baseball Back!

How you collect saliva makes a big difference

Increase workplace safety and build team confidence with simple and safe repeat testing programs supporting 100% accurate early detection and easy direct-to-user at-home options. Just ask Major League Baseball. See how our saliva collection system is credited for bringing baseball back” and making Salt Lake “the league’s most important city”.

™/© 2020 MLB

Major League Baseball Logo

Bringing Baseball Back!

How you collect saliva makes a big difference

Increase workplace safety and build team confidence with simple and safe repeat testing programs supporting 100% accurate early detection and easy direct-to-user at-home options. Just ask the Major League Baseball. See how our saliva collection system is credited for bringing baseball back” and making Salt Lake “the league’s most important city”.

™/© 2020 MLB

About Spectrum Solutions®

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spectrum Solutions is dedicated to empowering complete wellness and bridging the gap between science and innovative healthcare solutions. Our stand-alone and fully integrated test-to-treat solutions support molecular diagnostics and DTC testing applications, advancing product development and accelerating go-to-market applications. Our single-source, end-to-end capabilities include a CAP/CLIA accredited molecular diagnostic laboratory, onsite compounding pharmacy, medical and non-medical product development, manufacturing, and fulfillment.

#partoftheSolution

Leslie Titus Bryant Spectrum Solutions SpokesmanSpectrum Corporate Spokesman
Leslie Titus Bryant
Head of Marketing & Brand
admin@spectrumsolution.com

Tim Rush Public Relations, Springboard 5Media Contact
Tim Rush, Springboard5
801-208-1100
tim.rush@springboard5.com

About Spectrum Solutions®

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spectrum Solutions is dedicated to empowering complete wellness and bridging the gap between science and innovative healthcare solutions. Our stand-alone and fully integrated test-to-treat solutions support molecular diagnostics and DTC testing applications, advancing product development and accelerating go-to-market applications. Our single-source, end-to-end capabilities include a CAP/CLIA accredited molecular diagnostic laboratory, onsite compounding pharmacy, medical and non-medical product development, manufacturing, and fulfillment.

#partoftheSolution

Leslie Titus Bryant Spectrum Solutions SpokesmanSpectrum Corporate Spokesman
Leslie Titus Bryant
Head of Marketing & Brand
admin@spectrumsolution.com

Tim Rush Public Relations, Springboard 5Media Contact
Tim Rush, Springboard5
801-208-1100
tim.rush@springboard5.com

Are you a lab?

Let’s connect.

#partofthesolution

2023-12-15T04:39:19+00:00
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