US CDC has developed a single test that will check for coronavirus and both strains of the flu
Redfield said the single test for all three viruses will also help find co-infections, "which is important for doctors to diagnose and treat people properly"
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Robert Redfield is expected to testify that the agency "has developed a new laboratory test that checks for three viruses at the same time, two types of influenza viruses (A and B) and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19."
In his opening statement, prepared for the House Energy and Commerce Committee and posted online, Redfield said, "testing for all three viruses simultaneously will allow public health laboratories to continue surveillance for influenza while testing for Covid-19. This will save public health laboratories both time and resources, including testing materials that are in short supply."
Redfield said the single test for all three viruses will also help find co-infections, "which is important for doctors to diagnose and treat people properly."