The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it has authorized the first diagnostic test for the new coronavirus that allows patients to collect saliva samples at-home.
The decision is part of the FDA’s efforts to expand testing capabilities for the fast-spreading virus, which has caused over 70,000 deaths in the United States.
The saliva test kit was developed by RUCDR Infinite Biologics, a unit of Rutgers’ Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, and its collaborators, Spectrum Solutions and Accurate Diagnostic Labs. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] The test will cost US$150 and needs to be fully supervised by a practitioner via telemedicine to ensure proper sample collection, a