COVID-19 is impacting families, communities and the society, posing new questions everyday, as we go about our lives.

The "different normal" is creating novel ways to engage with people as well as challenges in our lives, at home and work.

Businesses have had to recalibrate, employees and employers have been managing work from home, and the aged and infirm, society’s most vulnerable, are understandably concerned.

Abbott has adapted and responded quickly to the challenge, delivering a broad range of solutions that can assist in combating this pandemic.

Our commitment remains steadfast, as we work to ensure continued supply, service and support to our valued customers and healthcare professionals during these times of global uncertainty.

COVID-19 was not widely known until five months ago, and within just a matter of weeks and months, diagnostics technology has been rapidly developed to detect this virus and help monitor the health of those infected.

Abbott has and is developing solutions for the detection of COVID-19, putting all its resources towards navigating this health crisis.

Abbott's intent is to offer as many solutions as possible across our diagnostics platforms to help test millions of people. In addition to our m2000 RealTime PCR assay for detecting COVID-19, we have introduced the Rapid Point-of-Care ID Now in the US and our laboratory-based serology IgG assay for SARS-CoV-2. We continue to develop serology-based antigen and antibody tests, across different platforms.

As a major manufacturer of COVID-19 tests and test platforms, we have worked 24/7 to ramp up production.

It is pertinent to note that the demand for supply of SARS-CoV-2 assays is unprecedented. We will work with you to satisfy your testing needs to the best of our ability.

There have been considerable concerns about pressures on the healthcare system due to COVID-19. Apart from critical care, Abbott continues to support laboratories and hospitals in their diagnosis and management of existing health conditions.

Our personalised solutions across core lab, molecular, point of care, and transfusion medicine can help redefine clinical care and performance in healthcare institutions.

In relation to the continuity of supply & services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we acknowledge that there have been considerable challenges in recent times.

Abbott’s logistics team continues to work closely with our third-party logistics partners in managing COVID-19 work conditions, addressing some system issues and the new warehouse in Sydney. Our focus is ensuring we can return to our high level of service in product delivery, limiting interruptions while communicating directly with your contacts within your respective organisations on the supply situation. We are continually assessing the changing environment and preparing accordingly.

As we continue to adjust to the COVID-19 situation and your institutions continue to deliver care while managing existing health conditions, it is crucial to acknowledge the diagnostics technology capabilities that are available to us. Additionally it is just as vital to reflect on the importance of maintaining a stable and well-supported community.

The importance of diagnostics has never been as clear as it is today, and we are committed to elevating the impact of diagnostics in this global crisis. We are with you every step of the way to collaborate and tackle this new challenge.

The dedication of the entire Abbott workforce across Australia and New Zealand remains unwavering – as a part of our core values, we will continue to do everything to help people live their fullest lives possible.