New swab material to boost COVID-19 testing process

SEATTLE (AP) — As state and federal leaders develop plans to re-open the country after weeks of a coronavirus shut down, health experts say one thing must happen first — more people need to be tested. But a shortage of the swabs used in the testing kits as well limits on personal protective equipment worn by the people taking the samples has slowed the testing process. Research by doctors in the Pacific Northwest is helping fill those voids.