The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently authorized the first at-home combination test for COVID-19 and the flu, developed by Lucira Health. This is a significant development in the fight against these viruses, as it offers convenience, accuracy, and the ability to detect multiple variants of the COVID-19 virus. The test is a molecular test that can detect both viruses with a single sample, and is authorized for individuals aged 14 and older who are suspected of having COVID-19 or the flu.

What You Need To Know About Combination Flu and COVID Antigen Testing

Users simply collect a nasal swab sample and insert it into a disposable testing unit. The unit then provides the results on a small screen within 30 minutes. In clinical studies, the test correctly identified positive cases 96.5% of the time and negative cases 100% of the time. The test is also able to detect several variants of the COVID-19 virus, including the Delta variant.

FDA Commissioner, Dr. Janet Woodcock, stated, “With the authorization of this test, patients no longer need to leave their homes to get tested for COVID-19 and the flu, which will help reduce the spread of these viruses and make testing more convenient for individuals.”

The authorization of this at-home combination test is an important development in the ongoing fight against COVID-19 and the flu. According to NPR, “health experts worry that as the flu season peaks, people with symptoms of COVID-19 could be confused and frustrated by the lack of quick diagnostic tools. The combination test is one solution.”

CNBC notes that this combination test is also a step towards more widespread testing, which is critical in controlling the spread of both viruses. “More testing is key to ending the pandemic, and the ability to test for multiple respiratory viruses with a single sample could help speed up that process,” they write.

Lucira Health’s at-home combination test for COVID-19 and the flu has received FDA approval and offers a convenient, accurate, and effective solution for testing individuals suspected of having either virus. It provides results within 30 minutes and is able to detect several variants of the COVID-19 virus. The authorization of this combination test is an important step towards controlling the spread of these viruses and ending the pandemic.

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