SARS-CoV-2 Tests 2023

SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Tests 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized over 400 tests and sample collection devices under emergency use authorizations (EUAs). In addition, the U.S. NIH's COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel recommends using either a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or an antigen test with a sample collected from the upper respiratory tract (e.g., nasopharyngeal, nasal mid-turbinate, anterior nasal) to diagnose acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

At-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 antigen tests, often called rapid tests, detect proteins called antigens from SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, at-home COVID-19 antigen tests are less likely to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus than molecular tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), which detect genetic material called RNA from the virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated test guidelines and launched the COVID-19 Testing Locator website in February 2023, which enables consumers to search for free COVID-19 testing sites.

SARS-CoV-2 At-Home Tests

The FDA updated its easy step-by-step guide in February 2023 to include information about reporting OTC at-home COVID-19 test results to MakeMyTestCount.org, developed through the National Institutes of Health Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Tech program and allows consumers to report the results of their OTC at-home COVID-19 test anonymously.

SARS-CoV-2 Tests For 2023

The U.S. Administration announced expanding access to free virus testing options through COVIDTests.gov. for the winter season of 2022-2023. All U.S. households can order four at-home COVID-19 tests that will be mailed directly to them for free.

On May 16, 2022, the U.S. FDA authorized the LabCorp Seasonal Respiratory Virus RT-PCR DTC Test for use without a prescription by individuals with symptoms of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19.

And Quest Diagnostics offers COVID-19, flu, and RSV combination testing. While seasonal flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory illnesses, they are not the same viruses, says the CDC.

SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Calculator

The U.S. CDC published the Isolation and Exposure Calculator to help people determine if they need to take steps to prevent the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Test News 2023

January 26, 2023 - Roche and its subsidiary TIB Molbiol have developed a COVID-19 PCR test for researchers that detects and differentiates the latest variant of concern, XBB.1.5. The XBB.1.5 variant is prevalent in the United States and is quickly spreading to other countries. Differentiating emerging variants and understanding their similarities and mutations provides a basis for experts to make predictions about their spread and respond with appropriate treatment strategies. The VirSNiP SARS-CoV-2 Spike F486P test is for use on the LightCycler® 480 II and cobas® z 480.