UW lab being used to help process more coronavirus tests

SEATTLE — The University of Washington is using its lab to help process more tests for the coronavirus.

The move comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosened rules for people hoping to be tested for the virus.

Under the new protocol, anyone with a fever, cough or breathing problems can be tested for the coronavirus, with one key rule.

“Really, it comes down to a physician’s decision for ordering the tests,” said Dr. Alex Greninger, with University of Washington Medicine.

Faced with a sudden need for testing, UW scientists got to work.

Earlier this month, they received permission to start performing coronavirus tests.

In just two days they’ve conducted 200 tests, with many more to go.

"We have a small victory with this testing available, but it’s likely the epidemic is growing, and we don’t know how big it’s going to go,” said Dr. Keith Jerome, with University of Washington Medicine.

Scientists said the benefits of having UW’s tests are twofold.

First, UW is able to run tests quickly as the demand goes up.

Second, as patients get their results, UW doctors will learn more about how the virus is spread.

“We do hope to meet the need for people who are sick as they enter into the health care system,” Jerome told KIRO 7 News.

Already, there’s reason to suggest their efforts are paying off.

In just a few days, UW has run more tests than the state’s own medical lab.

Scientists said they could eventually handle 1,000 tests a day.

UW workers said their main focus is to handle cases from western Washington, but they are also accepting lab tests from across the country.

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