Prognos is analyzing lab testing trends in 2020 and more specifically, looking at the impact of COVID-19 on testing trends at a national level.
Methodology: A large representative sample from the Prognos lab testing registry was pulled as a proxy for a national volume of testing. Then trends are compared on a weekly basis year-to-date.
Summary Findings
Week ending May 8th, 2020
- After the first week of January which is typically 40% of the typical weekly volume due to holidays leading up to New Years Day, the national trend in testing was relatively stable through the week ending 3/13/20.
- There were expected slight dips in January and February due to national holidays (MLK/President’s Day).
- Over the two-week period ending 3/27, the national trend decreased 23% and 38% weekly, for an overall drop of 53% over those two weeks.
- Since then, the market trend has stabilized and showing signs of recovery with three consecutive weeks of double-digit percentage increases. Data from the most recent period (week ending 5/8) shows an increase with a 21% increase over the prior week.
- Based on these trends, five weeks of stable or increasing trends, indications are there that the national lab testing volume is rebounding.
For the most recent period (week ending 5/8) testing trends showed a 21% increase over the prior week, indicating a clear upward trend in testing.
The national trend over the most recent annual period (4/19 – 5/20) shows a stable weekly trend, with dips associated with holidays. Testing for the week of 5/8/20 is 21% higher than prior week, but 33% lower than same week prior year, which is also an improvement over last week’s comparison.
For more information on the regional and local level, or a specific test or brand, contact us.