Massachusetts makes deal with six states to launch rapid testing
Massachusetts makes deal with six states to launch rapid testing
MATT. MATT: AT THIS POP-UP SITE, PEOPLE GET THEIR SWABS, AND THEN WAIT FOR RESULTS. THAT COULD RADICALLY CHANGE UNDER A NEW AGREEMENT BETWEEN MASSACHUSETTS AND SIX OTHER STATES, LAUNCHING A RAPID TESTING PLAN. THOSE TESTS CAN DELIVER RESULTS IN 15 TO 20 MINUTES. EACH STATE WOULD PURCHASE 500,000 TESTS. THE GOAL IS TO DETECT CASES FASTER, SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE CRITICAL AS WE MOVE TOWARDS SOME KIND OF SCHOOL REOPENING. THE FDA ISSUED ITS FIRST EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR ANTIGEN TESTING BACK IN MAY. THIS METHOD IS CERTAINLY FASTER, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS ABOUT ACCURACY. AT THE TIME, THE AGENCY CAUTIONED THAT WHILE POSITIVE TEST RESULTS FROM ANTIGEN TESTING WERE HIGHLY ACCURATE, THERE WAS A HIGHER RISK OF FALSE NEGATIVES. THE DEAL INVOLVES FUNDING FROM THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION, TO OFFSET THE COSTS O
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Massachusetts makes deal with six states to launch rapid testing
VIDEO: Massachusetts inks a new deal that could significantly change how COVID-19 testing is done in the Commonwealth.
VIDEO: Massachusetts inks a new deal that could significantly change how COVID-19 testing is done in the Commonwealth.
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