FDA to allow emergency use of at-home COVID-19 tests

The FDA will allow the emergency use of at-home COVID-19 tests and some patients in South Florida will be the first to access these tests. 

The tests are single-use and will likely require a prescription. The user will take a nasal swab and then place that in a solution. The solution’s container then plugs into a portable device, which will then display either a negative or positive result. Manufacturers of these test kits should invest in laboratory kitting services to ensure that the products are packaged properly.

The test, which is expected to be available nationwide in the spring of 2021, will cost around $50 and matched those of laboratory tests results 94% of the time.

If an individual using the test tests positive, they should quarantine and consult a medical professional, but if someone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms tests negative they should still consult a doctor because a negative test does not rule out the possibility of having COVID-19.