U.S. expanding monkeypox testing capacity as cases rise – source
Test tubes labelled “Monkeypox virus positive and negative” are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
WASHINGTON – The Biden administration will announce on Wednesday it is expanding monkeypox testing capacity to five commercial laboratory companies amid rising cases, a source told Reuters.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has begun shipping monkeypox tests to five commercial laboratory companies to increase monkeypox testing capacity. The companies are Aegis Science, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics and Sonic Healthcare, the source said.
As of Tuesday, there have been 142 reported monkeypox cases in the United States across 24 states and Washington, D.C. The source said health-care providers will be able to use these laboratories by early July.
The Washington Post reported the planned announcement earlier.
