Getting Rid of Drive-Through Testing? At Home Testing with the Greenlight

 The US FDA just approved of the first at-home coronavirus test named the 'Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit'. This at-home test is promising delivering results within 30 minutes and a low cost of $50 compared to rapid tests which costs upwards of $200. This test constitutes a molecular single-use test and is not simply a diagnostic collection test but a wholly self-administered test without production of results at home as well.

This advancement in technology and testing will contribute to reducing the public burden of disease transmission and make rapid results more accessible to the population in terms of quantity and economically. The steps are, the user self-collects a saliva sample and swirls this sample in a vial. After, the sample goes into a hand-held testing unit and then results are produced via a light-up display determining negativity or positivity. 

Now, after previous months of relying on hospital, clinic, or office care and long lab results, both sample collection and results can be seen at home. These tests will be made available to individuals 14 and older with symptoms reported, however individuals under 14 must check with a health provider before given the test. Florida and California will be the first states to use this at-home testing on a broader scale before it is available to the rest of the country by spring. 

By the addition of another testing technique, the US is getting closer to providing more and more testing availability for everyone, with the hopes of beating this virus. With immediate results more accessible, limiting the spread between contacts and contract-tracking will be easier and faster. However, no determinants of its efficacy were mentioned with regard to false-positive tests.

-Liz

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https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-first-covid-19-test-self-testing-home?utm_source=Global+Health+NOW+Main+List&utm_campaign=11c7ab1fae-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_17_05_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d0d062dbd-11c7ab1fae-2994893