Devices

FDA Covid Test Recommendations Based on UMass Study

An FDA 8/11 safety communication regarding serial use of at-home Covid-19 antigen tests was based on recommendations from a study by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. The university says the study results show that at-home antigen tests are more likely to detect Covid-19 within the first week of infection when a person without symptoms tests three times, at 48-hour intervals, and a person with symptoms tests twice.

The Chan research was supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Tech program.

The university statement says the agency safety communication recommends that people perform repeat testing following a negative result on any at-home Covid-19 antigen test. “If repeat testing is not performed after a negative result, an infection may be missed and people may unknowingly spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others, especially if they are not experiencing symptoms,” the statement says. “FDA recommends repeat testing following a negative result whether or not a person has Covid-19 symptoms.”

The Chan researchers say the study findings imply that people who are suspected to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus but have not developed symptoms should exercise caution, such as wearing masks and avoiding crowded places, for at least six days until three at-home antigen tests taken 48 hours apart have been performed.

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

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