A COVID-19 test that will provide results in less than 15 minutes has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
According to reports, the test was authorized for emergency use after federal regulators were convinced by data and believing the test could outdo any risks such as providing false positive or negative results. 50,000 tests are expected to be delivered to hospitals and clinics per day at the start of next week. The test’s manufacturer, Abbott, says the test was created to detect genes that are present in the virus.
The tests will be sent to areas where they are needed the most–specifically coronavirus hotspots such as New York and Washington.
Vice President Mike Pence hinted during a press briefing that the test could speed up the process for U.S citizens but there are shortages of protective personal equipment such as cotton swabs, masks, and gowns. FDA-approved tests require samples from patients but the lack of medical supplies could make this an issue.