USA TODAY International Edition
Amazon selling at- home virus tests
Amazon is now selling COVID- 19 tests for customers to use at home as cases continue to rise in the U. S.
The DxTerity COVID- 19 Saliva atHome Collection Kit detects the presence of the virus but does not confirm immunity or detect antibodies. DxTerity’s molecular- based PCR test received approval from the Food and Drug Administration last month.
The test differs from the quicker and less expensive antigen tests, which use a nasal swab or throat swab to detect the virus.
A single COVID- 19 testing kit is listed for $ 110, and a 10- pack bundle is available for $ 1,000.
Test takers must spit into a tube provided by the kit. The saliva sample is then inserted into a plastic bag and packed back into the box for shipment to one of DxTerity’s laboratories certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
Customers also are granted prepaid express return shipping with the test and should expect to receive results within 24 to 72 hours of sample receipt at the laboratory.
DxTerity’s test is currently the only COVID- 19 testing kit on Amazon.
“We have demonstrated the reliability and quality of our COVID- 19 testing solution with big business and now we want to expand access to customers at home and small businesses,” said Bob Terbrueggen, founder and CEO of DxTerity, when he first announced the collaboration with the company last month.
“Amazon is the perfect partner for expanding access to millions of U. S. customers.”
The test may not be valid for all travel purposes because sample collection is unsupervised, according to the product description. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends saliva specimens should be collected under supervision.
Amazon joins other retail giants in offering at- home COVID- 19 saliva tests. Costco offers both regular and those approved for travel requirements to Hawaii, Bermuda and some other destinations for $ 129.99 and $ 139.99, respectively. However, the test has several dozen one- star reviews , with most complaining about delayed shipping and poor customer service from provider AZOVA.