California to Build COVID-19 Testing Lab Capabilities via PerkinElmer Deal
California signed a contract with PerkinElmer, which will allow the state to process up to an additional 150,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests a day, with a contractual turnaround time of 24-48 hours. The goal is to stand up a laboratory facility and begin processing tens of thousands of additional tests utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic testing by November 1.
Governor Gavin Newsom says, “Supply chains across the country have slowed as demand for COVID-19 tests has increased, and flu season will only exacerbate the problem. So, we are building our own laboratory capabilities right here on California soil with a stable supply chain to fight the disease, lower the prices of testing for everyone and protect Californians most at risk from COVID-19.”
The agreement is expected to significantly expand California’s ability to track and prevent COVID-19 infections across the state and create additional testing capacity that will allow the state to increase testing in communities at high risk for contracting COVID-19.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Kaiser