Coronavirus Update: New rapid COVID-19 test to be rolled out by March 30, according to FDA

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Sunday, March 22, 2020
AP

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization for an express COVID-19 test.



The test will be able to provide results within hours rather than days, like the existing tests, according to the administration.



The test is expected to be rolled out by March 30th.



"Our dedicated team at the FDA has been working nonstop to expedite the review and authorization of novel diagnostics during the COVID-19 public health emergency," said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, M.D. "Today marks an important step in expanding the availability of testing and, importantly, rapid results. Point-of-care testing means that results are delivered to patients in the patient care settings, like hospitals, urgent care centers and emergency rooms, instead of samples being sent to a laboratory. With today's authorization, there is now an option for testing at the point of care, which enables patient access to more immediate results."



MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE



Frequently Asked Questions


Where are the testing centers


Free educational resources for parents and children


How you can help victims of coronavirus



Where is COVID-19 now? and other resources



Coronavirus news and live updates in New York


Coronavirus news and live updates in New Jersey


Coronavirus news and live updates in Connecticut


New York City updates


Long Island updates



How coronavirus is leaving ghost towns in its path



Coronavirus prevention: how clean are your hands?


Social distancing: What is it and how does it stop the spread of coronavirus?


Coronavirus closures and cancelations


Coronavirus tips: What Americans need to know



Related Information


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus

Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.