21 Dec National Surveillance of COVID-19
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Aegis Sciences Corporation and Walgreens have collaborated to make real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing readily available at more than 5,200 of the over 7,200 Walgreens locations that provide COVID-19 testing. As the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate, both organizations have worked diligently to closely surveil the spread of the Omicron variant. Due to Aegis’ utilization of the ThermoFisher TaqPath™ COVID-19 Combo Kit for RT-PCR testing, we have been able to quickly monitor expected Omicron spread through identification of S gene target failure in COVID specimens, a phenomenon caused by the Omicron variant. Ongoing review of positive results with S gene target failure has demonstrated that nearly 30% of all positive results from specimens collected across the nation in recent days are likely Omicron, and spread of this variant is occurring at a significantly greater rate in some portions of the country.
More detailed information can be found here: National Surveillance of COVID-19 Infections: Variants, Vaccination Status, and Viral Spread