Ann: Cellmid Signs COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Supply Agreement, page-897

Hundreds of Detroit city workers, including dozens of police officers, have been able to quickly return to work after being quarantined, or have avoided quarantine altogether, thanks to a speedy new test for the coronavirus.

Over the past week or so, more than 1,000 city employees, including officers, firefighters, paramedics and bus drivers, have been given 15-minute nasal swab tests before starting their shifts.

Before the test - developed by suburban Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories - first responders would have been sent home for several days or even weeks until results from slower tests showed whether they had the virus or not.

“The 15-minute testing is going to benefit everybody,” said Detroit police Corporal Maurice Alexander, who developed a cough and felt fatigued before being tested March 20. On March 24, he learned he also had the virus.

“Initially, when tested I didn’t think that I had it,” he said. “I was being tested because of everything going on.”

Alexander’s nose was swabbed Wednesday. About 15 minutes later, he tested negative for the disease and returned to work Thursday. Quicker results will help stop the spread of the virus, he said.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/10/fast-virus-tests-quickly-returning-detroit-officer/

Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test:

https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/product-and-innovation/detect-covid-19-in-as-little-as-5-minutes.html