Delaware State University launched a lab for COVID-19 testing in Wilmington

COVID-19 testing just got a lot easier at Delaware State University.

Del State’s small Wilmington campus on Kirkwood Highway launched its own molecular diagnostic lab, allowing the school to analyze its own COVID-19 test samples instead of sending them all the way to California for analysis.

The funding for the diagnostic laboratory came from federal CARES Act funds allocated to New Castle County. In the spring, the lab will also serve the surrounding community by offering a more convenient option for analyzing tests for residents.

“New Castle benefits from this because they are using outside sources and are paying a premium to get their test done for their constituents,” said Dr. Derrick Scott, associate professor of biological sciences, in a Del State news update. “They were looking for a quicker and more accurate testing and the university was looking for a way to support their population, making it a win-win situation for New Castle County and Delaware State University.”

The location, a former U.S. Army Reserve building awarded to the HBCU in 2013, offers several master’s degree programs and had the space necessary for the lab.

Read more about the program here.