President Trump is expected to announce a new $ 750 million deal with Abbott Laboratories for rapid COVID-19 tests at the Republican National Convention Thursday night, according to a senior White House official. Under the agreement, the Trump administration would buy 150 million of the tests, which would take just 15 minutes to deliver results.
The Food and Drug Administration passed Abbott’s test authorization for emergency use on Wednesday for patients with suspected COVID-19, making it the first rapid coronavirus test that does not require special computer equipment. The test is the size of a credit card and is based on the same technology used to test for flu, strep throat and other infections.
“Results can be read directly from the test card, a design similar to some pregnancy tests,” the FDA said in a statement announcing its decision. “This simple design is fast and efficient for healthcare providers and patients and does not require the use of an analyzer.”
The test will sell for only $ 5, according to Abbott, giving it a competitive advantage over similar tests that must be run through a machine.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, the US is leading the world in testing. This is a major development that will help our country stay open, get Americans back to work, and children back to school,” said Strategic Communications Director Alyssa Farah of White House. in a statement to CBS News. “The Trump administration is proud to partner with Abbott Labs to make this purchase possible to help the American people.”
However, Abbott’s new test still has limitations. Like most older coronavirus tests, the rapid test still requires a nasal swab by a healthcare professional, and may be less accurate than slower tests. The FDA said in a statement that the decision announced that negative results with Abbott’s test in some cases may need to be confirmed with a lab test.
“In general, antigen tests are very specific, but are not as sensitive as molecular tests,” according to the FDA. “Because of the potential for reduced susceptibility compared to molecular assays, adverse test results may need to be confirmed with a molecular test before treatment is decided. Negative results of an antigen test should be considered in the context of clinical observations, patient history and epidemiological information. “
Despite its limitations, the Trump administration’s agreement with Abbott could increase COVID-19 testing in the United States, a goal of public health experts who dismissed the president just months in advance.
During a campaign rally in June, Mr. Trump said, “If you test to that extent, you will find more people, you will find cases. So I said to my people, ‘Slow down the test, please.’ They test and they test. We have tests for people who do not know what is happening. “The president later doubled on his remarks, contradicted several White House officials who defended his remarks by claiming they were joking.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its COVID-19 test recommendations earlier this week to indicate that many individuals who are exposed to the coronavirus but show no symptoms may not need to be checked, raises concerns of many medical experts, because people who are asymptomatic can still spread the virus to others. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top expert on infection, said he did not weigh the new guidance.
“I am concerned about the interpretation of these recommendations and fear that giving people the wrong assumption asymptomatic spread is not of great concern. In fact, it is,” Fauci said in an interview Wednesday with CNN.
Over 5,800,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the U.S. Thursday, and more than 180,000 deaths, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
Admiral Brett P. Giroir, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said Wednesday that the agency does not expect the new CDC guidance to affect the volume of testing in the U.S. In fact, he said that the government expects the volume will increase over the next few months as more people return to work and school and are checked regularly.
According to the FDA, Abbott’s test may be ideal for such tests. In the statement announcing the authorization, the FDA listed “point-of-care institutions,” such as a “doctor’s office, emergency room or some schools,” as locations where the rapid test could be used.
Abbott plans to send “tens of millions” of tests next month, and then call for “50 million tests per month” by early October.
“Given the simple nature of this test,” the FDA wrote, “it is likely that these tests can be made widely available.”
Fin Gomez contributed to this report.
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