FDA approves new test for coronavirus, with results ready in under an hour

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first rapid diagnostic test that can detect the novel coronavirus in less than an hour. A test result had, up to this point, ranged from a 24-hour turnaround to upwards of four days. This lackluster efficiency was called simply “unacceptable” by Dr. Rod Hochman, CEO of Providence St. Joseph Health.

The FDA gave its approval on Friday, and shipping of the new test is set to take place next week, according to a statement made by Cepheid, the company manufacturing the tests.

"An accurate test delivered close to the patient can be transformative—and help alleviate the pressure that the emergence of the 2019-nCoV outbreak has put on healthcare facilities that need to properly allocate their respiratory isolation resources," said Dr. David Persing, MD, Ph.D., chief medical and technology officer at Cepheid.

If COVID-19 cases continue to go unchecked, it will be impossible to stem the tide of the virus from overwhelming hospitals, just as it did in Wuhan, China, Italy, and Spain.

Vice President Mike Pence mentioned in a Saturday news briefing that 195,000 Americans had been tested for the virus, with 19,343 positive results.

Even though quick-response testing is on the way, it has been recommended that only those who show symptoms of the virus should seek the test. On Saturday, the Vice President said "We want to remind Americans as Dr. Fauci will emphasize in a moment, if you don't have symptoms, don't do a test." This "is another way that the American people can make sure that we are preserving the resources that our health care workers need to administer and support those who are dealing with the coronavirus and other illnesses."

Pence, and his wife Karen, who initially expressed it wasn’t necessary for them to get tested, decided to take a test for the virus after a staff member at the White House had tested positive. Both results came back negative.