The Pros and Cons of Pooling Covid-19 Tests: QuickTake

Slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus requires testing -- lots of it. The need is particularly acute for this virus because many may be asymptomatic and unknowingly spreading it to others. Though millions of people around the world have been tested, supplies aren’t keeping up with demand. One innovative approach, called pool testing, would multiply the reach of existing capacity. Few countries have adopted the idea so far.

1. How does pool testing work?

Testing for Covid-19 -- the disease caused by the coronavirus -- is done with samples from saliva or swabs of a person’s nose or throat. ...