Lenexa company ramps up saliva testing for COVID-19

Clinical Reference Laboratory in Lenexa is working around the clock, testing up to 6,000 saliva samples each day for COVID-19.

THE LAST WEEK.A LENEXA LAB IS NOWTESTING FOR COVID-19 BYUSING SOMEONE'S SALIVA.THE IDEA STARTED WHENAN EMPLOYEE AT THE LABVOLUNTEERED TO USETHEIR OWN SALIVA --AFTER TESTING POSTIVEFOR COVID-19.41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER JORDAN BETTSSHOWS US HOW THISCOULD CHANGE THE GAMEFOR TESTING.NatsCLINICAL REFERENCELABORATORY IS WORKINGAROUND THE CLOCK.Robert Thompson, Chief ExecutiveOfficer for Clinical ReferenceLaboratory"It's been unprecedentedreally."TESTING UP TO 6,000SALVIA SAMPLES A DAYFOR COVID-19.AND THERE ARE THREESTEPS TAKING FIVE HOURSTO COMPLETE.Heather Fehling, ChiefScientificOfficer- Molecular DiagnosticsforClinical Reference LaboratoryIn order to meet our scaling,we are pooling samples.

So,we are taking a little bit fromfive salvia samples andputting them into one well."NEXT, IT'S OFF TO THISMACHINE.NatsHeather Fehling, ChiefScientificOfficer- Molecular DiagnosticsforClinical Reference Laboratory"We are purifying the virusout of the salvia.

So, as wetalked about, it's really takingthe needle out of a hay stack.We are taking out all the junkthat is in the salvia, making ita pure sample."THE MOST IMPORTANT ANDLAST STEP...TESTING FORCOVID-19.Heather Fehling, ChiefScientificOfficer- Molecular DiagnosticsforClinical Reference Laboratory"We are making lots of copiesof the virus in order toidentifyit.

We are running that on aPCR instrument."ONCE IT'S DONE, RESULTSARE UP.IF ONE GROUP COMES UPWITH A POSITIVE RESULT,THEN A SCIENTIST WILL GOBACK, GRAB THOSE FIVESALVIA SPECIMAN ANDINDIVIDUALLY TEST THEM.RESULTS SHOWING UP ONTHEIR APP AS QUICKLY AS14 HOURS.Heather Fehling, ChiefScientificOfficer- Molecular DiagnosticsforClinical Reference Laboratory"It goes and sends anotification to the client aswellas the individual for our app."Jordan Betts, 41 Action NewsReporter"Scientists are testing kitsfrom all over Kansas andMissouri.

From universitieslike KU and Emporia StateUniversity.

But, now they arebranching out and will DOtestS FOR the Los AngelesSchool District."Mather Saladin, Senior at KUThey just give you a vile andtell you to spit in it and fillinthat much or whatever."MATHER SALADIN IS A K-USTUDENT AND SAYS HEWOULD RATHER DO THISTEST THAN ALTERNATIVES.Mather Saladin, Senior at KUPretty easy.

I don't know whatthey could of done to make itany better."BUT, THIS ISN'T THE ONLYTHING THE LAB ISWORKING ON.THEY ARE WORKING ONHAVING THE ABILITY TOTEST SALVIA FOR COVID-19ANDTHE FLU AT THESAME TIME.Heather Fehling, ChiefScientificOfficer- Molecular DiagnosticsforClinical Reference Laboratory"One of the questions is ifsomeone tests negative forCOVID, they are like what do Ihave?

Do I have the flu?

Whatis it?

Our hope is to create amulti-plex test that can look atother infectious diseases inthe sample and give a morecomplete picture for thatpatient."SCIENTISTS SAY IT'SABOUT ALL SAVING LIVES.Heather Fehling, ChiefScientificOfficer- Molecular DiagnosticsforClinical Reference LaboratoryAs a scientist, this is yourdream to actually be able tohelp people.

So, it's beenreally rewarding I know formyself as well as our staff tobe able to really make animpact here in a public healthsense."IN LENEXA JORDAN BETTS41 ACTION