10 COVID-19 testing updates

Ten testing updates:

1. HHS overrides states, lets all pharmacists give COVID-19 tests
   New HHS guidance overrides state and local rules that prevented pharmacists from administering COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
2. FDA approves another at-home COVID-19 test
   The FDA granted emergency use authorization to a second COVID-19 diagnostic test that allows patients to collect samples using nasal swabs.
3. FDA reviewing accuracy of Abbott coronavirus test
   Abbott’s COVID-19 diagnostic test may return false negatives, the FDA warned.
4. LabCorp, Quest expand COVID-19 testing
   LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics both said they’ve ramped up their COVID-19 testing capacity.
5. How feds will divvy up $11B to states for COVID-19 testing
   The White House has revealed how it plans to distribute $11 billion from the CARES ACT to support state testing.
6. CMS allows pharmacies to bill Medicare for COVID-19 tests
   CMS implemented a temporary policy that allows pharmacies to bill Medicare for COVID-19 tests, a move that could increase the number of pharmacies able to offer diagnostic testing.
7. FDA gives emergency OK to Abbott’s COVID-19 antibody test
   The FDA granted emergency use authorization for Abbott Laboratories’ new COVID-19 antibody test.
8. FDA approves first antigen, saliva COVID-19 tests
   The FDA authorized two new types of diagnostic COVID-19 tests this week, the first antigen test and the first at-home test that uses saliva samples.
9. FDA clears development, sale of at-home COVID-19 tests
   The FDA posted new guidelines that allow manufacturers to develop and market COVID-19 test kits that could be used by people at home and mailed to any lab in the country, a move the agency hopes will significantly increase U.S. testing capacity.
10. FDA tightens standards for COVID-19 antibody tests
    The FDA strengthened rules for COVID-19 antibody tests after public health officials raised concerns over the quality of the tests, which were allowed on the market without FDA review. 

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