FDA Grants Emergency Authorization For At-Home Coronavirus Testing Kit

Over the weekend, the FDA granted emergency authorization for the first coronavirus testing kit that lets people take a nasal sample at home.

In labs around the world, the race is on for a low-cost and accurate coronavirus test.

One British medical start-up believes they've achieved just that: a rapid COVID-19 test, with results in less than 10 minutes.

"We use what's called a molecular chemistry, so we are targeting the genetic material of the virus, we are amplifying it many millions of fold in order to be able to detect it,” said Dr. Harry Lamble.

Lamble expects the test to get FDA approval in a few months.

The start-up is partnering with the Wisconsin-based Phillips Medicize to make the test as low-priced as a home pregnancy kit.

President Trump has also given an endorsement to Abbot Laboratory's rapid COVID-19 test.

But the FDA is warning preliminary research has found potential problems with Abbot’s 15 minute test, including false negatives.