Andres Bendesky - May 13, 2020

Andrés Bendesky, MD, PhD, "Daily home test for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its deployment for safely returning to work"

Dr. Bendesky presented his team’s work on developing a simple and inexpensive at home test for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. While masks and social distancing are quick and inexpensive tools to control the infection in the short-term, in the long-term prior to the development of a vaccine, the most efficient method to control the spread of the virus is accurate testing and contact tracing. Right now, with testing only symptomatic patients, there is only a 48-hour window to perform a test and notify any potential contacts to stop the transmission chain. Dr. Bendesky instead suggests that we move the testing from the point of care to the home where testing could be performed every morning before going into work or school. He showed simulation data from Dr. Shaman’s group which shows that the slowing of viral transmission is greatly dependent on the frequency of testing. The assay that Dr. Bendesky’s group is developing at the Zuckerman Institute is a colorimetric test which relies on LAMP technology to allow for a constant incubation temperature. This at home test will be coupled with an app to document the test and help users determine if their color change indicates a positive test. In sum, an at home test is an inexpensive, easy to use and fast solution to allow for society to get back to work and school in a safe and efficient way.