WASHINGTON - In an effort to increase the availability of testing for COVID-19, the U.S. government has awarded a $231.8 million contract to an Australian company behind the first fully at-home rapid coronavirus test — which can be obtained without a prescription.The test, made by Ellume, can show results on an individual’s smartphone within 15 minutes of receiving a sample.
The test kit includes a nasal swab, a chemical solution and a testing strip. The digital analyzer connects to a smartphone app, which displays the results and then helps to interpret them.