UNC, Duke developing tests for coronavirus

As the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. rises, the need for accurate tests to determine who has the illness also grows.

Posted 9:29 p.m. Mar 2, 2020 — Updated 9:29 p.m. Mar 2, 2020

Sarah Krueger

, WRAL Durham reporter

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — As the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. rises, the need for accurate tests to determine who has the illness also grows.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the weekend eased restrictions on who could test for coronavirus, giving laboratories and hospitals around the country the go-ahead to conduct tests that had been limited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill have already developed their own test for the coronavirus, based on one out of Germany. Duke University Medical Center officials said they are working on a test as well.

Both would first need to be reviewed by the FDA, but officials said that, once approved, the tests would provide results to patients in North Carolina much faster.

"We can have results within four hours of getting a sample for a patient and know very quickly, especially in the early parts of the outbreak, when we’re not sure if it’s circulating here in our community yet, know that a patient is positive or allay their fears and tell them that they’re negative very quickly," said Melissa Miller, director of the Clinical Molecular Microbiology Laboratory at UNC Hospitals.

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Previously, if a patient was suspected of having the virus, doctors had to send a sample to a state lab to be forwarded to the CDC in Atlanta to get a confirmed positive or negative.

"Knowing that’s happening in North Carolina and being able to quickly act, from a public health perspective, will help ensure the safety of our communities," Miller said.

Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease specialist at Duke, said local tests could "help with surge capacity issue that the state lab is likely to face."

Officials with the state Department of Health and Human Services didn't respond to questions as to whether the state lab would also start testing for coronavirus, as other states have done.

Under CDC guidelines, anyone who exhibits certain symptoms and tests negative for flu and other respiratory illnesses will be tested for coronavirus. The test uses a throat or nasal swab from the patient.

"I already know our test is of high quality," Miller said. "I think we’re highly capable and ready to help in this situation."

The test would be available at all UNC Health locations, including affiliated physician practices and urgent care clinics.

Some North Carolina residents were excited by the prospect of faster tests for the virus.

"I think that’s awesome," said Julie Williams of Rocky Mount. "You shouldn’t have to wait for so long to have your lab results because, I mean, what if you have it? They could already be treating you."

"I have children all over the state in college, I have a sister in the hospital, so it’s very much a concern," said Maria Love of Raeford. "Hopefully, we wont need [testing] here, but I think it’s great."

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