Background: Respiratory viral infections are a major public health challenge and the most diagnosed medical condition, particularly for individuals living in close proximity, like military personnel. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the Biomeme FranklinTM and Truelab® RT-PCR thermocyclers to determine which platform is more sensitive and specific at detecting SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B viruses. Methodology: RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs of infected and uninfected individuals was tested on the Biomeme FranklinTM at Lackland and the Truelab® at Wright Patterson Air Force bases. Results: We found an 88% and 71% positivity rate in SARS-CoV-2-infected samples tested on Biomeme and Truelab®, respectively. Likewise, we found a 49% and 80% positivity rate in influenza-positive samples tested on Biomeme and Truelab®, respectively. One hundred percent of uninfected swab samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on both platforms. Conversely, 91% and 100% of uninfected swabs tested negative for flu on Biomeme and Truelab®, respectively. Significance: Differences in specificity and sensitivity in detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza between Biomeme and Truelab® suggest that Truelab® is a more promising and potentially deployable diagnostic platform for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses’ detection in an austere environment.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic magnified long-standing disparities in health care. Among the general population, racial/ethnic minorities often face disproportional barriers, such as poverty, reduced health literacy, a generational mistrust of health-care institutions, and limited access to health care, contributing to the disparities reported in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and outcomes. Racial/ethnic minorities in the military comprise nearly 43% of active-duty service members and face disproportionate health burdens influenced by systemic and individual factors. As a result, minority service members within the military health system had similar rates of SARS-CoV-2 testing compared to those of white service members. Reports have found that while the rates of testing are similar, SARS-CoV-2 infection remained disproportionately higher among Black and Hispanic service members. This perspective examines disparities in the United States military, focusing on the role of social determinants of health, comorbidities, risk factors, and access to care in shaping COVID-19 health outcomes.