Fighting with COVID-19 is a challenge and so is the test to check it. Shortages of test kits, is also a big issue that has hindered governments’ response to the crisis. Most of the current tests take about two days to provide results as they need to be sent to labs.
Worldwide scientists are working to produce a reliable, quick and cost-effective test for the coronavirus. Now a Professor Maneesh Singh from Biocel Analytics has come up with a unique test. This test can produce positive results in as little as five minutes and negative results in 13 minutes.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration have granted approval for this device. Now US firm Abbott Laboratorie has started shipping its five-minute antigen coronavirus test to medics all over America.
Abbott’s ID NOW device is about the size of the toaster and weight about 6.6 pounds. Being small in size, it can be used in more non-traditional places.
Chris Scoggins, senior vice president, Rapid Diagnostics, Abbott, said, “Through the incredible work of teams across Abbott, we expect to deliver 50,000 COVID-19 tests per day to healthcare professionals on the front lines, where testing capabilities are needed most,” “Portable molecular testing expands the country’s capacity to get people answers faster.”
