Yesterday the FDA approved the first over-the-counter at-home rapid COVID-19 test, which is expected to be on major drugstore shelves in January, the Washington Post reported. The test is being hailed as a total game changer, but there are still a few strategic sticking points. Here’s what you need to know about what this new at-home test means for us all.
The test is made by the Australian company Ellume, and it is the first test approved by the FDA that can be taken at home and does not require a doctor’s prescription. Here’s how it works: You use a nasal swab to collect a sample from the inside of your nose and then put the sample on a plastic cartridge that looks similar to a home pregnancy test. The device connects to an app on your smartphone, which then communicates with a lab for analysis, and you get your results in as little as 15 minutes.
The Ellume app also automatically sends your results to the cloud by zip code to help local health officials with tracking COVID-19 rates, but your personal data (allegedly) stays confidential. You will also be able to automatically share your results with healthcare providers if you choose to, according to the Post. This all bodes well for helping us know how many people are sick and where they are. Continue reading.