ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., August 16, 2021 – BioReference Laboratories, Inc., an OPKO Health company (NASDAQ:OPK), today announced the acquisition of the U.S. Ariosa centralized laboratory prenatal testing business from Roche. Ariosa’s non invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) test, the Harmony Prenatal Test, is one of the most widely studied tests utilized in prenatal screening. The test has been performed in […]
Author Archives: katie carrera
13
Aug
Aug
As you have probably seen in the news, genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been emerging and circulating around the world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Most notable variants are the B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) variants, which seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants and may lead to more […]
12
Aug
Aug
This month, we are striving to bring awareness to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a serious inherited condition caused by changes in the SMN1 gene, which controls motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem. Symptoms can begin prior to six months of age, in childhood, or, more rarely, in adulthood. In the most common form […]
03
Aug
Aug
Sexually Transmitted Infections and the Pandemic Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have been told to stay home and remain socially distant to stay healthy. While stay at home orders and quarantine offered protection from COVID-19, they came at a cost to routine health and wellness visits including STI testing. A study published in […]
28
Jul
Jul
Missed Doctor’s Appointments During COVID: What Are the Consequences? From missed physicals to postponed colonoscopies, Americans skipped out on thousands of medical appointments during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, all to slow the spread and avoid being infected by the virus. That caution, however, is expected to result in dire consequences, including 10,000 breast […]
23
Jul
Jul
Return To School Safely As we continue through the dog days of summer, many parents, teachers and administrators are shifting gears to back-to-school season, and thinking about what in-person learning may look like amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Testing students will be key for schools looking to re-open, as many primary and secondary education students are […]
20
Jul
Jul
What is a PCR COVID Test and How Does it Work? A polymerase chain reaction, or PCR test is used to find genetic material from an organism, like the COVID-19 virus. Using a thermal cycler and specific chemicals, the test is the most accurate one we have today to detect the novel coronavirus. Even as […]
13
Jul
Jul
Summer in the United States is safely going back to normalcy with the increasing number of COVID-19 vaccinations across the country. Americans are now more comfortable spending some time outside their homes. While enjoying the summer with family and friends, remember to keep yourself, family and friends protected from the harmful effects of the UV […]
07
Jul
Jul
How Long After Exposure to COVID-19 before you Test Positive for COVID? Being exposed to COVID-19 can be a nerve-wracking experience. Not only are you not sure if you’ve caught the novel coronavirus and potentially exposed others, but you’re also wondering what you should do next. Should you simply quarantine for two weeks? Should you […]
02
Jul
Jul
The time has finally come where COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted across the country and for the first time in over a year we are able to get together with friends and family, attend big events, and travel. While vaccination rates are continuing to increase, there is also the risk of the new Delta variant […]
