COVID-19 testing remains one of our key tools for curbing the spread of the virus, and the critically important work of medical laboratories has been highlighted throughout the pandemic. Laboratory facilities managed thousands of COVID-19 swabs for New Zealand’s population and quarantine facilities. High volumes of tests along with the unique situation drove the necessity for digitisation and accelerated a sense of urgency to innovate in this space.

Over the course of the pandemic, Sysmex has delivered the core digital and data solutions behind New Zealand’s leading COVID-19 testing responses. Digitising the testing workflow was a significant undertaking, requiring the rapid assembly of solutions under immense pressure. The vision from the outset was to consolidate the lab testing and data workflow to support the nation’s COVID-19 response team.

The New Zealand response to COVID-19 leveraged experience in aggregating population testing data. It has also enabled New Zealand to innovate to integrate a digital testing workflow for laboratories for COVID-19 tests across border management and community testing facilities.