FDA Gives Go-Ahead to Fast $5 Coronavirus Test That Doesn't Require Lab Equipment

Politico is reporting that the FDA has issued an emergency-use authorization for a low-cost, rapid-response COVID-19 antigen test from Abbott Laboratories. Using technology similar to home pregnancy tests, it is intended for use by medical professionals and provides results in about 15 minutes. The $5 test is intended for use on patients within seven days of experiencing coronavirus symptoms. The process involves a nasal swab administered by a health care professional, and the swab is then inserted into the card-like test. According to Abbott, data show the new antigen test has demonstrated that the test accurately detects 97.1 percent of positive samples and 98.5 percent of negative samples. The company said Wednesday it expects to ship tens of millions of the new tests in September, with plans to increase production to 50 million tests the following month.