COVID-19 plus flu test allows patients to collect sample at home

Dec 07, 2020 - 03:13 PM
FDA product update

The Food and Drug Administration Friday authorized the first prescription diagnostic test for both COVID-19 and influenza A and B that allows patients to collect a sample at home and ship it to a laboratory for analysis.

The Quest Diagnostics test received emergency use authorization for use by individuals with a suspected respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19 when their health care provider deems home collection appropriate.

“With just one swab or sample, combination tests that are authorized for use with home-collected samples can be used to get answers to Americans faster, in the comfort and relative safety of their home, which allows patients to continue to quarantine while awaiting results,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, M.D.

Related News Articles

Headline
Olympus recalls endoscope needles
The Food and Drug Administration yesterday announced that Olympus issued a global recall of its ViziShot 2 FLEX needles manufactured prior to May 12 following…
Headline
ACIP recommends patients consult their provider for COVID-19 vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Sept. 19 recommended that patients should consult their health care provider if they want to receive a COVID-…
Headline
HHS announces efforts to improve long COVID care 
The Department of Health and Human Services Sept. 18 announced it will take new actions to help improve care for individuals with long COVID. They include a…
Headline
FDA issues serious recall for electric wheelchair joysticks
The Food and Drug Administration has identified a Class I recall for Mo-Vis BVBA R-net Joysticks due to a firmware error that causes the wheelchair to ignore…
Headline
Flu hospitalization rate in 2024-25 highest in more than a decade
The flu hospitalization rate during the 2024-25 flu season was the highest since 2010-11, according to a report published Sept. 12 by the Centers for Disease…
Headline
CDC releases 2025-26 respiratory disease season outlook
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is predicting a similar combined number of peak hospitalizations from COVID-19, the flu and respiratory…