US company’s 15-minute coronavirus blood test is being used in China, Italy and Japan – but it is NOT used in America because CDC and FDA officials have not approved it
Only 70 labs can currently test for coronavirus, HHS Secretary said on Thursday
BioMedomics says its blood test can diagnose the virus in the field in 15 minutes
But it may be less accurate than the CDC’s test – which was originally reported flawed
In the US, more than 216 people have coronavirus and 12 are dead of the infection sweeping the globe
By NATALIE RAHHAL
DAILYMAIL.COM
6 March 2020
A North Carolina-based company says its 15-minute blood test is already being widely used by the Chinese CDC, helping officials there to diagnose more patients, faster.
On Thursday, that company, BioMedomics, announced its ‘quick and easy’ test is ready and being used in South Korea, Japan, Italy and some countries in the Middle East.
But the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the test under the emergency measure it announced Saturday.
BioMedomics claims its test can screen for coronavirus in 15 minutes using a small drop of blood and a tiny device that can be carried into the field
Outrage over slow testing has spread across the US alongside the coronavirus as the number of cases has swelled beyond 200 nd 12 have died
To clarify, the FDA gave broad approval to any companies, states or institutions for if they have ‘a certified clinical lab able to handle the high-intensity test…they may develop their own test and do not have to wait fo us to approve it to start using it in patients,’ said Secretary Azar.
It’s not clear what the qualifications are for sure a lab.
But BioMedonics apparently doesn’t have them – though it is trying to sway US officials.
‘We are in contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and have approached the FDA to inquire about US market,’ CO Dr Frank Wang told WRAL TechWire.
It would seem that the states, institutions and companies that can now start testing people for coronavirus thanks to the CDC’s expansion efforts use diagnostic tools that are akin to the agency’s own.
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