The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to a COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test that provides a result within 30 minutes.
The kit, made by Lucira, includes everything you need to perform the test yourself at home, unlike other products that require the nasal swab to be sent to a laboratory for processing.
To perform the test, the nasal swab must be taken and then inserted into the enclosed bottle where it must be rotated. You will then need to insert the bottle into a battery powered device which will turn on an LED after a few moments to show the result (or both if the result cannot be determined).
The disposable test requires a medical prescription and is intended for home use for patients with suspected Covid-19 of 14 years of age or older. The kit is also authorised for use at the point of care, where it can be used by healthcare personnel on people under 14 years of age.
Lucira has indicated that the test will cost approximately $50 and will initially have limited availability. The technology used was developed over the last five years for influenza diagnostics and then converted for the Covid-19.
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