Find Test Swab Supply for This Summer Surge of COVID-19 Infection

The World Health Organization recently warned that during the Paris Olympics, at least 40 athletes have been infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens. COVID-19 infections are surging globally. The international community should pay attention to the unusual increase in summer COVID infections.

Summer COVID-19 Infection Rates Soar: WHO Recommends Vaccination for Highest Risk Groups

On August 6, 2024, Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of the WHO's Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, warned at a press conference: "Data from WHO's sentinel surveillance system across 84 countries shows that the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests has been rising over the past few weeks. Overall, the positive test rate has exceeded 10%. This rate varies across regions. In Europe, the positivity rate exceeds 20%." New waves of infections have emerged in the Americas, Europe, and Western Pacific regions. Wastewater monitoring data indicates that SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates are "2 to 20 times higher than reported cases." Such high transmission rates of COVID-19 in summer are unusual, as other respiratory viruses typically thrive in colder seasons. Van Kerkhove cautioned, "COVID is still with us." She expressed concern that given the current low vaccination rates and high virus transmission, if a more potent COVID-19 variant emerges, the risk of severe illness in high-risk groups after infection would be "enormous." WHO urges governments to strengthen emergency preparedness and vaccinate the highest-risk groups against COVID-19 and influenza.

COVID May Not Have Truly Left

Taking off masks and tucking away test kits, we've grown accustomed to small joys in daily life, seemingly forgetting the fear once imposed by the virus. But don't rush to close the book on this "great adventure"! Have you noticed more people around you getting infected lately? Those with mild symptoms might dismiss it as a common cold. More severe cases experience diarrhea, low-grade fever during the day that spikes at night, and even the return of symptoms like a razor-sharp sore throat, loss of smell, and decreased memory. Yes, your instincts are correct! The coronavirus never disappeared; it merely changed its appearance, becoming a low-key yet unmissable character in our lives, occasionally popping up to remind us of its presence.

COVID Variant FLiRT Strikes Again

The new COVID variant "FLiRT" has come on strong this summer, leading to increased hospitalizations across the United States. According to the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), except for a decline in mortality rates, COVID-19 test positivity rates, emergency room visits, and hospitalization rates are all trending upward nationwide. As of June 2024, the total COVID-19 death toll has reached over 1.2 million. The virus's impact has never ceased, and the resulting long-term complications have become a persistent concern for many. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines this as a series of long-term symptoms experienced by some people after COVID-19 infection, commonly known as "Long COVID."

Over 200 Long COVID Symptoms Identified

Feeling mentally foggy for three years after illness, easily fatigued, or experiencing sleep problems - these aren't just your imagination. Over 200 Long COVID symptoms have been identified, and you're likely to find one that fits your experience.

Organ and Tissue Damage

Long COVID patients often suffer lung or heart damage, leading to shortness of breath or palpitations.

Excessive Inflammation

The immune systems of Long COVID patients are typically overactive, usually manifesting as elevated cytokines like IL-6 and T-cell abnormalities. This immune system dysfunction is thought to cause neurological problems and systemic fatigue.

Blood-Brain Barrier Damage

Persistent systemic inflammation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction are the root causes of brain fog and cognitive impairment experienced by Long COVID patients.

General Symptoms

• - Fatigue or weakness affecting daily life
• - Physical or mental deterioration after exertion
• - Fever

Respiratory and Cardiac Symptoms

• - Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• - Cough
• - Chest pain
• - Palpitations

Digestive System Symptoms

• - Diarrhea
• - Stomach pain
• - Constipation

Other Symptoms

• - Joint and muscle pain
• - Rash
• - Changes in menstrual cycle

Neurological Symptoms

• - Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes called "brain fog")
• - Headache
• - Sleep problems
• - Dizziness when standing
• - Pins-and-needles feeling
• - Changes in smell or taste
• - Depression or anxiety

Long COVID acts like an "invisible shackle," quietly invading vital areas of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. These damages are not only complex and diverse but also greatly reduce patients' quality of life, causing significant impacts on daily life, work capacity, and mental health. The fact that we now coexist with the COVID-19 virus makes timely diagnosis crucial, but medical supplies are currently scarce. How do we overcome this challenge?

Nasopharyngeal Swabs: A Long-standing Ally Against COVID

As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches its fifth year, the gold standard for COVID-19 pathological testing remains the nucleic acid test, which relies on respiratory specimen collection. Although studies report that lower respiratory tract specimens have significantly higher positive rates for COVID-19 nucleic acid tests compared to upper respiratory tract specimens, the trauma, comfort, and ease of operation in obtaining lower respiratory tract specimens are far inferior to throat or nasal swabs. Therefore, the most commonly used clinical specimens are still throat and nasal swabs - with nasal swabs providing higher quality samples and better positive detection rates due to the absence of saliva and food influences.

How can we reduce "false negatives" in COVID-19 nucleic acid testing?

The sensitivity of the testing technology is key, focusing on the specificity and sensitivity of the detection method, and standardized sampling in the operation process is crucial. Throat swab nucleic acid test results have a certain "false negative" rate. Patients with sputum can provide qualified sputum samples, but many COVID-19 cases present with dry cough, and invasive procedures such as bronchioalveolar lavage are technically challenging and significantly increase the risk of occupational exposure.

Currently, for respiratory infectious diseases, including influenza A and B, nasopharyngeal swabs show higher positive detection rates. Therefore, in the fifth edition of the COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Plan, the Chinese National Expert Group recommended changing the nucleic acid test respiratory specimen from throat swabs to nasopharyngeal swabs.

Mantacc Swab Supply

In 2020, as COVID-19 ravaged the globe, nucleic acid testing remained a crucial means of screening for the virus before widespread vaccine implementation. The collection and transportation of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples are critical steps in ensuring the integrity of test samples. In the face of this global human survival test, Shenzhen Miraclean Technology Co., Ltd.'s self-branded MANTACC® disposable flocked swabs became a popular product, meeting massive global demand.

Adhering to the value of "To make the World Healthier," Mantacc swiftly established strategic partnerships with major domestic and international testing institutions and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) giants during the pandemic.

From the initial scarcity of materials and supply chain emergencies to the subsequent efforts to resume work and production under the pandemic, Mantacc contributed to the global fight against the pandemic with a daily shipment volume of tens of millions of units.

Our flocked nasopharyngeal swab uses a medical-grade ABS shaft with a flocked tip design. The flocked swab is manufactured using spray and electrostatic charge methods, allowing millions of nylon fibers to adhere vertically and uniformly to the handle end. The capillary action between the nylon fibers facilitates sample collection and elution. Flocked swabs have far superior sample collection and release capabilities compared to traditional twisted swabs. They are thin, soft, and mainly used for nasopharyngeal sampling of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, and mycoplasma pneumoniae.