Laboratory Corporation of America has received Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for a combined home collection kit for molecular testing for COVID-19 and influenza A/B.
The kit is intended for individuals two years of age and older and is available at no upfront cost to those who meet clinical guidelines, which include individuals experiencing symptoms, those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or those who have been recommended for testing by a healthcare provider.
The kit will become available in early October and can be ordered by an individual's physician.
"Our newest home collection kit makes it convenient for individuals, including children over the age of 2, to take the test in the safety of their homes," Brian Caveney, chief medical officer and president, Labcorp Diagnostics, said in a statement. "In time for flu season, the single test helps doctors and individuals make more informed treatment decisions given that symptoms of COVID-19 and flu are similar."