Now there is a home testing kit available.
At-home coronavirus tests now available, companies say (Fox News)
As coronavirus testing in the U.S. continues to lag behind that in other highly affected countries such as South Korea, several domestic startups are reportedly launching the first at-home tests.
The products have been greenlit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under new expedited guidelines to help combat the virus, according to Stat, a health care industry news outlet.
One such test provider is Nurx, a San Francisco-based company best known for home testing products for sexually transmitted infections and birth control, now offers testing kits for COVID-19 through the mail for $181 after prospective customers fill out an online form with their symptoms.
“We don’t look for the severity of symptoms, only the presence of them. They can range from mild to severe,” Nurx spokeswoman Allison Hoffman told SFGate.com. “But, people with truly severe symptoms should also seek immediate care. … In terms of temperature in particular, we determine a fever is 100.4 [degrees] plus.”
After filling out the online survey, Nurx will determine if testing is necessary based on the person’s symptoms and will mail the test via expedited shipping.
Nurx can give customers lab results within 48 hours of receiving the test, SFGate reported.
“We are pivoting from our prior service lines to make this available,” Chris Hall, senior clinical adviser for Nurx, told Stat. “It’s a heavy lift, but we think it’s important.”
nurx@nurxapp
Today we are introducing the first #COVID19 home testing and online consultation service. We’re eager to safely connect people with certain symptoms and risk factors with testing and medical care.
COVID-19 At Home Test Kit - Nurx ™
Nurx and its longstanding home testing lab partner, Molecular Testing Labs, are launching telehealth consultations and home testing for people who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
There are issues with that test kit as well. First it has to mailed to you and even if it is overnight that is a day lost. Not bad but still causes a delay. Then the test is not one where the result can be determined at home. It requires a lab. So now you have to return the sample back to the company, another day lost even if it is sent overnight. Then they guarantee 48 hours to deliver. So at best you have cut a 5 day result period to just a 4 day result period. In addition it costs 181.00 which may be out of reach for some, while others may be too incensed to spend the money. Furthermore, you have to describe to them your symptoms and then they will make a determination if your symptoms warrant receiving a test kit. So basically you are back to where you started from. 8>)