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FDA Warns of False Negative Risk in Rapid COVID-19 Test
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on May 14 regarding the risk of false negative testing results with the Abbott ID Now test, which provides point-of-care diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. The test received emergency authorization from the FDA on March 27; however, some studies have shown the test may produce false negative results. The FDA is currently working with Abbott to further study the test’s efficacy but advises that those who have received a negative test result should follow up with a “high-sensitivity authorized molecular test.” The test is effective at diagnosing positive cases of COVID-19, and the company suggests the studies demonstrating a high number of false negatives were problematic, citing possible problems with the swabs used and the mode of transport for the specimens. Read more here.
I think it’s great that you point out that the rapid test for Covid 19 can turn out to be a false negative. My husband was thinking of getting a rapid test done before he starts his work next week. I will definitely remind him that having a negative result doesn’t mean he’s free of the virus and he should still be careful whenever he goes out. http://medsancovid.com/