US grants emergency use authorisation to Quidel for first antigen test for COVID-19

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved emergency use authorisation (EUA) to Quidel Corp for the first COVID-19 antigen test.

An antigen test is a new type of diagnostic test designed for rapid detection of the virus that causes COVID-19.

The emergency use authorisation was issued on Friday to Quidel for the Sofia 2 SARS Antigen FIA.

An antigen test can provide results in minutes but it may not detect all active infections. It is very specific for the virus, but there is a higher chance of false negatives.