Media Advisory

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

When to Test offers free online tool to help individuals make informed COVID-19 testing decisions

What

Demand is increasing for COVID-19Ìýtesting among individuals and families, especially as winter approaches and people shift to indoor activities. The National Institutes of Health’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative today announced the launch of the When To Test Calculator for Individuals, a companion to the version for organizations introduced last winter. By responding to just a few prompts, the new individual impact calculator indicates whether a person should get a test—now or soon.Ìý

TheÌýWhen To Test Calculator for IndividualsÌýwas developed and tested by computer modelers to help people determine if they are at risk of getting or transmitting COVID-19 based on just a few variables, such as vaccination status, transmission rates in the geographic area, and mitigation behaviors. The calculatorÌýincludes answers to frequently asked questions and links both to resourcesÌýon testing strategies and on obtaining supplies, including home tests.ÌýÌý

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)Ìýsupported development of the When To Test website, , and calculatorsÌýthrough the RADx Tech program.Ìý

Who

NIBIB Director Bruce Tromberg, Ph.D., who leads the RADx Tech program, is available for comment.

About the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADxSM) initiative:ÌýThe RADx initiative was launched on April 29, 2020, to speed innovation in the development, commercialization, and implementation of technologies for COVID-19 testing. The initiative has four programs: RADx Tech, RADx Advanced Technology Platforms, RADx Underserved Populations and RADx Radical. It leverages the existing NIH Point-of-Care Technology Research Network. The RADx initiative partners with federal agencies, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Department of Defense, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Learn more about the RADx initiative and its programs:Ìý/radx.Ìý

About the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB):ÌýNIBIB’s mission is to improve health by leading the development and accelerating the application of biomedical technologies. The Institute is committed to integrating the physical and engineering sciences with the life sciences to advance basic research and medical care. NIBIB supports emerging technology research and development within its internal laboratories and through grants, collaborations, and training. More information is available at the NIBIB website:Ìý.

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About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Â鶹´«Ã½ is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information abour Â鶹´«Ã½ and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

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