White House Unveils National COVID-19 Testing Plan, Adopting Many ASCP Recommendations

The White House today unveiled a blueprint for a more coherent COVID-19 testing strategy. The plan includes many recommendations ASCP outlined in its recently released National COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing and Support Strategy. An initial review of the White House plan is encouraging. However, stronger coordination at the federal level is needed.

The White House plan addresses expanding access to coronavirus testing by improving laboratory access to testing platforms and supplies, including specimen collection and transport supplies. Under the plan, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will launch a community protection team program intended to focus state and local governments on key public health tasks, such as laboratory testing, surveillance and contact tracing.

Over the past several weeks, ASCP has worked tirelessly to encourage the Administration to develop a national testing strategy as well and a task force comprised of experts to oversee its development and implementation. An ASCP Action Alert, issued April 15, generated more than 15,000 letters urging the Administration, Congress and other important policymakers to support the creation of a national testing strategy.

The President was expected to detail his plan at this evening’s White House briefing. Check back at www.ascp.org for frequent updates on this emerging story.