Months after FDA approval, the first over-the-counter home coronavirus test will receive $ 231.8 million from the government to boost production and increase distribution. The Ellume COVID-19 home test can be performed in just 15 minutes and includes a nasal swab with results reported via a smartphone app.
“These are over-the-counter, self-run test kits that can detect COVID with approximately 95% accuracy within 15 minutes,” said Andy Slavitt, senior advisor to the White House COVID-19 response team, at a news conference Monday. “They can be used when you feel symptoms of COVID-19 and also for screening for people without symptoms so they can safely go to work, school and events.”
The test is approved for use on people 2 years of age and older and is less invasive than the traditional nasal swab.
CDC ORDERS FACIAL MASKS FOR AMERICAN TRAVELERS
“Making more easy-to-use tests available to every American is a high priority with clear benefits,” Slavitt said.
With the additional funding, Slavitt said Ellume will be able to expand production to 19 million test kits per month by the end of 2021. The funding agreement also yielded 8.5 million tests for the US government.
PORTS, COMMUNITIES THAT FEEL A FINANCIAL FEEL WITHOUT CRUISES
“The ability to quickly test, contact trace and quarantine is a pivot of our national strategy and will be an essential part of controlling the virus and stopping the spread of the community,” he said. “In the meantime, and while vaccines are still being rolled out, as Dr. Walensky repeatedly reminds us, wearing a properly fitting mask is vital. Without masks, the virus and new variants will continue to grow too easily.”
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
According to a press release posted Monday, the test was developed with support from the National Institutes of Health’s rapid acceleration of diagnostics.