FDA Approves First At Home Coronavirus Testing Kit

An at-home Coronavirus testing kit has been approved, and could be available in the coming weeks, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“Throughout this pandemic we have been facilitating test development to ensure patients access to accurate diagnostics, which includes supporting the development of reliable and accurate at-home sample collection options,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement (via ABC). “With this action, there is now a convenient and reliable option for patient sample collection from the comfort and safety of their home.”

The kit will include a self-collection kit that contains nasal swabs and saline, and you will need a doctor to prescribe the at-home test. The patient will then send their own sample in an insulated package to a LabCorp lab to be processed.

“The FDA’s around-the-clock work since this outbreak began has resulted in the authorization of more than 50 diagnostic tests and engagement with over 350 test developers,” the statement added. “Specifically, for tests that include home sample collection, we worked with LabCorp to ensure the data demonstrated from at-home patient sample collection is as safe and accurate as sample collection at a doctor’s office, hospital or other testing site.”

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