At-Home COVID-19 Collection Kit Authorized by FDA

An at-home coronavirus collection kit has gotten emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, the agency said Saturday.

Made by startup Everlywell, the kit is the only one that can be used with multiple coronavirus tests, Axios reported.

Two other at-home swabs have also gotten authorization from the FDA. 

The swabs collected at home will be sent to labs for diagnosis.

Everlywell's kit, which allows people to collect a nasal sample for the virus, is authorized for use based on the results of a COVID-19 questionnaire administered by healthcare providers, the FDA said.

"The authorization of a COVID-19 at-home collection kit that can be used with multiple tests at multiple labs not only provides increased patient access to tests, but also protects others from potential exposure," said Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

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