The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Blumenthal: ‘This will be a game-changer’
Senator visits health center to learn about new testing system
TORRINGTON — COVID-19 testing is conducted daily across the nation to track and treat the virus and prevent it from spreading. In Connecticut, health centers like the Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington has offered free weekly testing at outdoor sites including Coe Memorial Park and East End Park in Winsted.
The center, located on Migeon Avenue, recently secured an FDA-authorized Sofia by Quidel rapid testing system, which can deliver results in 15 minutes. It’s a step forward from the nowcommonly used swab test, with results available in two to three days. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D- Conn., wants to learn as much as he can about testing and treatment for COVID-19, he said.
Blumenthal visited the center Tuesday to learn about the new system and understand how it works. He was instructed by the center’s head nurse, Michelle Brady, and CEO Joanne Borduas. COO Gina Burrows and Dr. Rocco Russo also attended the demonstration.
Blumenthal asked why the new machine is so important in the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The rapid test machine has been on the market for quite a while and became available to us recently,” Borduas said. “We were concerned about prioritizing tests for our elderly patients — people who are more vulnerable. We were able to secure one machine, and as soon as it’s calibrated, we will begin providing tests. We’ll still do the other testing method, as well, but this one is faster.
“If we have a person who’s symptomatic, or showing symptoms of the virus, we can now test them much more quickly,” she said. “We can now test them for the flu as well as COVID-19.”
Borduas noted that the fall flu season “could be difficult.”
“With the regular flu and COVID-19 at the same time this fall, it allows us to more quickly test people who have symptoms that might be COVID-19 or the flu,” she said. “Symptoms of COVID-19, along with a cough, aches and a fever,
also include loss of taste or smell and fatigue. Those are the people who are the best people to be tested. We’ll also do our usual screening, asking people questions like whether they’ve traveled outside of the state or the country, or if they’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.”
The Sofia testing machine requires only a small nasal swab that doesn’t have to be inserted as far into the nasal cavity as the regular test requires. It can also be done by the patient themselves, according to Brady.
“Once the swab is ready, it’s placed in the machine and the test is run,” she said, holding the small, black Sofia box in both hands.
The swab, she said, is inserted into the machine to obtain the results, which are available in about 15 minutes. The test results are sent directly to the Department of Public Health. “It has the technology to do that step,” Brady said.
“This could be a gamechanger in the flu season,” Blumenthal said, then asked whether the test was as accurate as the regular swab test.
“Salaiva tests (and swab tests) are still being done, and they are sent out for the results,” Russo said. “With this smaller swab, there’s less risk of the person sneezing or coughing. ... If they’re presenting symptoms, it’s safer. But it’s still a nasal test.”
“It’s much more comfortable than the other swab test,” Borduas said.
CHWC has a lab on site and conducts its own testing for flu, but not COVID-19. “We have very little experience with COVID-19,” Russo said. “But what we’re providing now is a kit people can take home if they want to check their own breathing or fever . ... We follow up with a phone call to see how they are.”
Blumenthal also asked how available the Sofia machine is in Connecticut. “There’s a shortage of them right now, because there are only two vendors making them,” Borduas said. “They’re prioritized for use, primarily for nursing homes. We feel very lucky that we got one. The vendors are trying to meet the demand.”
“This is amazing,” Blumenthal said. “This will be a game-changer.
“I’m grateful to be at one of our 17 quality health centers in Connecticut who provide such great care,” he said. “This machine is a gigantic step forward in our fight against COVID-19. We’re entering a time of high risk with flu season, and determining the difference between the flu and the virus is so important. It opens new avenues for the whole state . ... Every clinic should have one of these machines.”
For information on the health center, visit www.chwctorr.org or call 860-489-0931. CHWC is located at 489 Migeon Ave.
For information on COVID-19 testing, symptoms and treatment, visit the state of Connecticut’s website at https://rb.gy/av3f1e.