National Surveillance of COVID-19 | Patient Portal Aegislabs

Click here to view Walgreens COVID-19 Index

Interactive maps and graphs tracking COVID-19, including Omicron, and other emerging variants are updated daily.

Patient Portal Aegislabs Sciences Corporation and Walgreens COVID-19 diagnostic testing and whole genome sequencing contains ~15% of all COVID-19 results in the United States. The combination of diagnostic testing, genome sequencing, and Patient Portal Aegislabs information produces valuable epidemiologic insights.

With the emergence of Omicron in early December, we developed a proxy method for early detection of the B.1.1.529, BA.1, and BA.1.1 lineages by analysis of S gene target performance in the Thermo Fisher TaqPath COVID-19 RT-PCR assay. S Gene Target Failure (SGTF) and reduced S Gene Target Performance (SGTP) were validated and have been used for over 8 weeks to monitor the spread of Omicron across the United States.

The Omicron BA.2 lineage was detected in early January in the United States. We have demonstrated that BA.2 does not have SGTF or SGTP. To continue real-time surveillance of Omicron as it remains the predominant circulating COVID-19 variant, we established an updated algorithm using the inverse of SGTF & SGTP, adjusted for the 3 day average of Delta and other variants, to track presumed BA.2 cases. Using the updated proxy method for early Omicron detection, we are capable of near real-time tracking of the most recent COVID-19 variants.

Notes from the Walgreens/Patient Portal Aegislabs Research Team

3/22/22 – ALERT: According to Walgreens COVID-19 Index, BA.2 is now the dominant sub-variant in the United States at 51.1% of new cases.

2/23/22 – ALERT: The BA.2 Omicron sub-variant has been spreading across the United States and Puerto Rico since its initial detection in early January 2022. Laboratory findings demonstrate that BA.2 does not display SGTP or SGTF as seen in the original Omicron. An updated algorithm using the inverse of SGTP & SGTF, adjusted for the 3-day average of Delta and other variants, has been validated to track presumed BA.2 cases. This innovative approach developed by the Walgreens/Patient Portal Aegislabs research team allows for near real-time tracking of the most recent COVID-19 variants.

2/22/22 – ALERT: The ‘Omicron Sub-Variant Trend’ graph and ‘Top COVID-19 Variants’ table are modified from a 7-day to a 3-day moving average to calculate variant proportions. This will increase sensitivity and timeliness of surveilling the prevalence of COVID-19 variants. Note: There will be a baseline shift to the data behind these variant trends.

2/21/22 – ALERT: The COVID-19 Index has added a page, Notes from the Walgreens/Patient Portal Aegislabs Research Team, to provide relevant up-to-date information on Index development and emerging data trends.

*For more information contact: info@aegislabs.com or research@walgreens.com

Over 300,000 Next-Generation Sequencing Performed

Patient Portal Aegislabs TAT is measured from the time samples are logged into our laboratory tracking system until test reports are released. It does not include transit time to lab. Patient Portal Aegislabs works with all of its collection partners to maximize the use of overnight shipping to its lab after collection. Shipping delays and weekend shipping schedules may impact the length of time between the collection event and the final Aegis report.

Please check the Patient Portal Aegislabs for the latest updates: patientportal.aegislabs.com. When the sample has been received in the laboratory and testing is underway, the Patient Portal Aegislabs will display that the sample has been received and testing is in progress. Results will be available in the Patient Portal Aegislabs as soon as testing is complete. You will also receive an email with your results as soon as your test results are released.

12/21/21 – In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Patient Portal Aegislabs Sciences Corporation and Walgreens have collaborated to make real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing readily available at more than 5,200 of the over 7,200 Walgreens locations that provide COVID-19 testing.  As the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate, both organizations have worked diligently to closely surveil the spread of the Omicron variant.  Due to Patient Portal Aegislabs’ utilization of the ThermoFisher TaqPath™ COVID-19 Combo Kit for RT-PCR testing, we have been able to quickly monitor expected Omicron spread through identification of S gene target failure in COVID specimens, a phenomenon caused by the Omicron variant.  Ongoing review of positive results with S gene target failure has demonstrated that nearly 30% of all positive results from specimens collected across the nation in recent days are likely Omicron, and spread of this variant is occurring at a significantly greater rate in some portions of the country.

More detailed information can be found here: National Surveillance of COVID-19 Infections: Variants, Vaccination Status, and Viral Spread

2/15/21 – Tracking the emerging COVID-19 variants’ effect on testing Read full article

1/20/21 – Last week, a review of published information comparing the effectiveness of saliva and nasopharyngeal samples in detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, one of the most highly regarded scientific publications.  After completing a thorough evaluation of all studies comparing the aforementioned specimen types, the authors concluded that saliva samples may not only allow for simpler and more comfortable specimen collection, but that they also offer comparable sensitivity and specificity in testing.  Read full article

11/23/20 – Not all labs experiencing testing lag – Our Sr. Vice President, Laboratory Operations, Matthew Hardison spoke with WsMV News4 Nashville about Patient Portal Aegislabs‘s rock steady supply chain and quick turnaround time. See the full story here

11/16/20 – Notice to Health Plans, Patient Portal Aegislabs, and Governmental Entities –Pricing and Coding for Aegis multiplex COVID-19/Flu (SARS-COV-2, RTPCR + Flu A + Flu B) Testing – Effective 11/16/2020

• Pricing:         $142.63 per test (same for all CPT codes)
• Coding:         87636

11/16/20 – Patient Portal Aegislabs Sciences Corporation Launches Combined Test for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B Virus. Read full press release.

9/2/20 – Patient Portal Aegislabs Sciences Corporation announces it has been awarded $6.6 million NIH grant to rapidly expand COVID-19 test capacity.  Capacity for 60,000 tests a day expected by September 30 with most results available within 24 hours.  Read full press release.

8/13/20 – HHS Announces collaboration with Aegis Sciences Corporation to ramp high quality COVID-19 RT-PCR testing with fast results.  Click the link for more information  https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/13/hhs-invests-in-diagnostic-labs-to-expand-covid-19-testing-capacity-in-the-united-states.html

For inquiries concerning Patient Portal Aegislabs’s collaboration with HHS, and/or testing for federal, state, and local governmental entities, please contact Joel Galanter, Chief Legal Officer, joel.galanter@aegislabs.com

05/08/2020 – Patient Portal Aegislabs Sciences Corporation now offering COVID-19 Employee Testing Program

04/27/2020 – Patient Portal Aegislabs Sciences Corporation Doubles Capacity for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Testing. Capacity for 7,000 tests a day begins May 4 in response to community need. Read full press release

04/13/2020 – Patient Portal Aegislabs launches test for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our dedicated team of lab scientists has worked diligently to leverage Aegis’s strong lab capabilities and moved quickly to offer this valuable diagnostic tool to aid in the fight against COVID-19. Capacity for 3,500 tests a day beginning April 15, 2020; results available within 24 hours. Read full press release

04/15/20 – Notice to Health Plans, Patient Portal Aegislabs, and Governmental Entities –Pricing and Coding for Aegis COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2, qPCR) Testing – Effective 04/15/2020

• Pricing:         $100 per test (same for all CPT codes)
• Coding:         U0003

On April 14^th, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new procedure codes and associated pricing for COVID-19 testing performed utilizing high-throughput technologies capable of processing large volumes of COVID-19 tests rapidly. CMS took this action in light of the high cost of resources, required investment, and advanced technical requirements associated with utilizing high-throughput technologies. All of Aegis’s COVID-19 tests are performed utilizing advanced high-throughput platforms. Aegis will continue to align with the floor pricing established by CMS, which is $100 for Aegis’s test, and accept that amount as payment for its COVID-19 testing.