Concerns about point-of-care test
The Abbott ID NOW point-of-care test for SARS-CoV-2 may deliver false-negative results, possibly due to the type of swabs or virus transport media used, the FDA said in a news release. The agency has received 15 adverse event reports about the test. The manufacturer will be conducting postmarketing studies to help identify the cause of any inaccuracies. In the meantime, an FDA official said, “This test can still be used and can correctly identify many positive cases in minutes. Negative results may need to be confirmed with a high-sensitivity authorized molecular test.” For example, a negative result should be confirmed if it’s inconsistent with a patient’s signs and symptoms.