The pharmaceutical and medical device company Abbott has just announced the fastest Covid-19 positive testing process on the market, which can provide results to suspected cases on-site instead of sending samples to the laboratory. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the testing method, and the production line for the devices will begin operating next week, expected to produce 50,000 test kits per day.
The diagnostic device is small enough to fit on a table, providing positive results in just 5 minutes and negative results in under 15 minutes, significantly reducing waiting times for suspected cases. With quick and accurate testing available amidst a surge in infections, the U.S. may soon have to implement additional quarantine measures in the near future.
Unlike the rapid test kits being used in many countries, this device uses a molecular testing method, based on analyzing saliva and samples taken from the nasal cavity of suspected individuals. This means it identifies positive cases by looking for traces of SARS-CoV-2 DNA in the sample, providing more accurate results when patients are actually infected with the virus.
Another good news is that the ID NOW device, capable of on-site testing, is hardware used to conduct the Covid-19 test, which is widely available in healthcare facilities across the U.S., ensuring rapid diagnosis. Abbott believes they can produce 5 million test kits by April, with 50% of those being rapid test kits, while the rest will be used for more in-depth laboratory testing.
