Empower Clinics starts COVID-19 RT-PCR testing through its Sun Valley Health operations in Arizona

Empower Clinics Inc (CSE:CBDT) (OTCQB:EPWCF) announced Thursday that it has commenced coronavirus COVID-19 RT-PCR testing through its Sun Valley Health operations in Arizona. The RT-PCR test kits and laboratory tests are being processed by Kai Medical Laboratory in Dallas -- the recently announced proposed acquisition target by Empower. Empower said the programs are part of a "Back to Work" and "Back to School" initiatives supported by a variety of outbound marketing campaigns including new Facebook ads, text message and email campaigns, as well as outbound call-center campaigns targeting businesses, universities and colleges, sports teams or organizations where effective social distancing could be difficult. READ: Empower Clinics plans to acquire Kai Medical Laboratory to advance coronavirus national testing programs Currently, Kai Medical Laboratory has the capacity to complete in excess of 2,000 RT-PCR tests in one eight-hour shift by utilizing its Thermo Fisher QuantStudio 12k Flex testing machine. "Launching our RT-PCR testing programs utilizing the capability of Kai Medical Labs gives us the ability to access massive testing volume not only in Arizona, but nationwide in the US," said Empower CEO Steven McAuley. "Our team at Sun Valley Health has created numerous strategic marketing campaigns to drive awareness and testing volume, leveraging our supply chain improvements with increased profit margins." The company noted that many schools and universities are now requiring students and teachers to provide RT-PCR testing results prior to returning to campus. Empower’s nasal or throat swab RT-PCR testing program allow students and teachers to quickly be tested and receive results from a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) accredited laboratory in only 24-48 hours. “Businesses need a stable workforce, and must be quick to isolate employees with any symptoms. Our RT-PCR testing allows employees to be tested quickly and receive results within 24-48 hours, giving the employee and the employer the opportunity to activate non-contagious employees and safely return to work!” the company said. An RT-PCR assay is a viral molecular test to detect active infection directly in a patient's RNA genetic sequence. An RT-PCR swab test is considered the gold-standard for testing and diagnosing active viral infections and should be used for anyone who has symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19. These tests are renowned for high sensitivity and high specificity. Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham