FDA Authorizes Rapid-Result Coronavirus Test
March 30, 2020 - The FDA has authorized a coronavirus test that the manufacturer says can tell if someone is infected with the virus within 5 minutes.In a news release, Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough in Illinois said the test can tell if a person has the coronavirus in as little as 5 minutes and tell if someone doesn't have the virus in 13 minutes.
A shortage of tests has hindered efforts to contain the virus in the U.S, which leads the world with more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19. Testing has been focused on priority groups, such as hospitalized patients and health care professionals with symptoms, according to CDC guidelines.
Abbott said it will make the tests available to health care providers next week and work with the government to send the tests to areas where they're most needed.
