Press Releases

Following calls by Congressman Max Rose for the federal government and states to adopt pooled testing to help greatly expand coronavirus testing, Dr. Anthony Fauci has said the Administration is seriously considering the method.

“The fact is until a vaccine is widely available we need drastically more testing, not less—and pooled sampling is the way to do that,” Rose said. “I’m encouraged to see the Administration is hearing my call and seriously considering this method which helps preserve critical supplies while allowing us to quickly identify and address new cases, and I look forward to working with them to make this happen. As economies continue reopening and cases are rising around the country, we don’t have time to wait.”

In an interview with Washington Post, Dr. Fauci said the Administration is having “intense discussions” and that, “What you need to do is find the penetration of infected people in your society … And the only way you know that is by casting a broad net.”

Pooled sampling, which has been touted by experts as a very accurate and efficient innovation in coronavirus testing, combines anywhere from two to twenty test samples from individuals to test all at once. If and when a pooled sample tests positive, each person would be re-tested individually. Currently, positive test rates range between one to six percent, and with hundreds of thousands of tests being conducted every day, pooled sampling would help preserve critical testing supplies.

Earlier this month, Rose wrote a letter to the Administration’s designated Testing Czar, urging the federal government to consider and adopt pooled sampling for COVID-19 testing. “I strongly urge you, as our nation’s Testing Czar, to develop and execute a plan for the United States to adopt pooled sampling, the latest innovation in COVID-19 testing,” Rose wrote to Admiral Brett P. Giroir, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “As we continue to see the number of positive cases hover at just 1-6% of those tested, pooled sampling can make a huge impact to help us identify those infected and isolate them while getting our economy back in track.”

Rose has also called on New York State and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to adopt pooled sampling programs, calling it a potential “game changer.” In a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, Rose wrote that pooled sampling could, “get large numbers of people tested quickly at the VA. This will be especially helpful at VA nursing homes.” Additionally, in a letter to Governor Cuomo, Rose wrote that pooled sampling could “get large numbers of people tested quickly—including for nursing homes, hospitals, businesses, and public housing among many others. For businesses of all sizes, this can help them reopen and stay open knowing they can test workers in large numbers and on a regular basis if needed.”

Rose has been a leader in fighting to expand testing access and capabilities on Staten Island and in South Brooklyn. Last month, Rose announced that in partnership with Governor Cuomo, AdvantageCare Physicians has begun COVID-19 testing and diagnostics at three new locations in Bay Ridge and on Staten Island. Rose also helped secure critical approvals and equipment which allowed Brooklyn-based Lenco Diagnostic Laboratories to begin COVID-19 antibody testing. Additionally, Rose helped secure rapid testing machines and necessary supplies for Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), and after urging by Rose, the Governor opened the first drive-through testing facility in New York City on Staten Island.

Full text of Rose’s letter to HHS HERE, VA HERE, and Governor Cuomo HERE.

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