United States falls behind on at-home COVID-19 tests

at home covid 19 rapid tests are a convenient and fast way to get results. However, the Wall Street Journal says the tests aren't as accurate if you don't collect the sample correctly. The tests are reasonably simple to do, but Varian procedure dependent on the type of test to obtain the most precise results, Be sure to follow the instructions outlined on the kit. Dr. Patrick Godbey, former president of the College of American pathologist says if you're doing at home tests, you must read the instructions and follow them meticulously. The CDC reiterates this and also reminds you anyone who is symptomatic, regardless of their vaccination status, can use them as well as asymptomatic individuals in the event of potential exposure. Abc seven recommends taking two tests 24 hours apart to reduce false negatives, according to the new york times. Demand for the tests has surged in recent months and although they have their limitations when used correctly, they are an important public health tool. Yeah.

The United States is pushing to end a scarcity of rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests, with new investments from the Biden administration intended to bring more of the devices into American households.The National Institutes of Health's $70 million pledge, announced last week, promises to get more tests onto the market by identifying and encouraging new manufacturers and easing the obstacles in getting the tests approved. It follows a $1 billion push unveiled by the White House last month, and Biden has committed to procuring an extra 180 million rapid testing devices over the next year.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month approved tests by U.S. company Flowflex, saying the decision "should significantly increase the availability" of instant tests.But the moves mark something of an 11th hour scramble for instant, or antigen, tests — and the U.S. is lagging dramatically behind many countries, where rapid coronavirus tests have been cheap and plentiful for months.In the UK, for instance, at-home testing has become part of a weekly routine for millions; a pack of several tests can be ordered for free online once a day, offering results in as little as 15 minutes and allowing Brits to check their COVID-19 status before heading to work, school, social events or large gatherings.Other countries have embraced the technology too. Since March, every German citizen has been entitled to one free antigen test a week. Cheap rapid tests are offered to anyone in Italian pharmacies. In France, they cost only around $7 and are readily available to buy. And in Spain, the tests have been available for purchase since July at around the same price. Even despite those affordable rates, Madrid pharmacies say supply is outpacing demand, likely due in part to the country's high vaccination rates.Yet more nations are just now starting to roll out the option; on Monday, rapid at-home tests finally hit the shelves of Australia's pharmacies and supermarkets, after being approved for use in the country.It's been a different story in the United States though, where those wanting the peace of mind offered by a home test kit are usually met with empty pharmacy shelves or high prices.The shortfall traces back in part to the early months of the pandemic, when the U.S. was slow to prioritize testing for COVID-19. Last month, former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield, who led the agency under former President Donald Trump, admitted the U.S. "was always behind" on testing through much of 2020.The government could have done more during that period to stimulate the private sector in developing testing, and he was "disappointed" it did not do so, Redfield told SiriusXM's Doctor Radio.But there has also been hesitancy over just how effective rapid tests are.A vast, international review of studies published in March found that few antigen tests met the World Health Organization's minimum acceptable performance standards. And in October, COVID-19 home test-maker Ellume announced a voluntary recall of some of its rapid antigen tests in the U.S., due to an increased chance of false positives.A study in March by University College London found accuracy rates of around 80% in antigen tests used in the UK — higher than the international review, but below the levels provided by a PCR test.Nonetheless, the U.S. is hoping to join the band of nations where at-home testing is routine. If availability is ramped up, Americans could soon have another tool at their disposal when it comes to COVID-19.

The United States is pushing to end a scarcity of rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests, with new investments from the Biden administration intended to bring more of the devices into American households.

The National Institutes of Health's $70 million pledge, announced last week, promises to get more tests onto the market by identifying and encouraging new manufacturers and easing the obstacles in getting the tests approved. It follows a $1 billion push unveiled by the White House last month, and Biden has committed to procuring an extra 180 million rapid testing devices over the next year.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month approved tests by U.S. company Flowflex, saying the decision "should significantly increase the availability" of instant tests.

But the moves mark something of an 11th hour scramble for instant, or antigen, tests — and the U.S. is lagging dramatically behind many countries, where rapid coronavirus tests have been cheap and plentiful for months.

In the UK, for instance, at-home testing has become part of a weekly routine for millions; a pack of several tests can be ordered for free online once a day, offering results in as little as 15 minutes and allowing Brits to check their COVID-19 status before heading to work, school, social events or large gatherings.

Other countries have embraced the technology too. Since March, every German citizen has been entitled to one free antigen test a week. Cheap rapid tests are offered to anyone in Italian pharmacies. In France, they cost only around $7 and are readily available to buy. And in Spain, the tests have been available for purchase since July at around the same price. Even despite those affordable rates, Madrid pharmacies say supply is outpacing demand, likely due in part to the country's high vaccination rates.

Yet more nations are just now starting to roll out the option; on Monday, rapid at-home tests finally hit the shelves of Australia's pharmacies and supermarkets, after being approved for use in the country.

It's been a different story in the United States though, where those wanting the peace of mind offered by a home test kit are usually met with empty pharmacy shelves or high prices.

The shortfall traces back in part to the early months of the pandemic, when the U.S. was slow to prioritize testing for COVID-19. Last month, former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield, who led the agency under former President Donald Trump, admitted the U.S. "was always behind" on testing through much of 2020.

The government could have done more during that period to stimulate the private sector in developing testing, and he was "disappointed" it did not do so, Redfield told SiriusXM's Doctor Radio.

But there has also been hesitancy over just how effective rapid tests are.

A vast, international review of studies published in March found that few antigen tests met the World Health Organization's minimum acceptable performance standards. And in October, COVID-19 home test-maker Ellume announced a voluntary recall of some of its rapid antigen tests in the U.S., due to an increased chance of false positives.

A in March by University College London found accuracy rates of around 80% in antigen tests used in the UK — higher than the international review, but below the levels provided by a PCR test.

Nonetheless, the U.S. is hoping to join the band of nations where at-home testing is routine. If availability is ramped up, Americans could soon have another tool at their disposal when it comes to COVID-19.

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