Several samples from different people may be combined and processed together as one
It’s fast and it uses fewer lab supplies. Labs could theoretically churn out results for hundreds of samples in about the same time as it would take for ten, and using about the same amount of chemicals.
“If the pooled test comes back negative then you’ve saved all the time and expense of testing [each sample individually]. It’s a very efficient testing method,” said Michael Baker, a professor of public health at Otago University.
Pooled sampling isn’t great when there are lots of cases that will test positive.
more ... https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/09-...-for-swimming/
It’s fast and it uses fewer lab supplies. Labs could theoretically churn out results for hundreds of samples in about the same time as it would take for ten, and using about the same amount of chemicals.
“If the pooled test comes back negative then you’ve saved all the time and expense of testing [each sample individually]. It’s a very efficient testing method,” said Michael Baker, a professor of public health at Otago University.
Pooled sampling isn’t great when there are lots of cases that will test positive.
more ... https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/09-...-for-swimming/