On October 1st, Health Canada approved the use of ID NOW rapid COVID-19 testing device— a move that could result in millions more tests for communities grappling with a surge in coronavirus cases.
The Abbott Laboratories-backed point-of-care devices can be administered by trained professionals at places like pharmacies, walk-in clinics and doctors’ offices without the need for a laboratory to determine if someone is infected with the virus.
The approval comes only a day after the federal government announced that it would buy some 7.9 million ID NOW tests from the U.S.-based firm for distribution in Canada.
Moreover, Air Canada received the approval of Health Canada for a rapid test for passengers using Abott portal ID machine (2.99Kgs), which can give result in an average of 15 minutes or less starting with crew and volunteers to continue with passengers. This can limit the impact airlines have been having on their profitability due to COVID-19.
ID is using isothermal technology, proprietary enzymes and constant temperature control to achieve the fastest available RNA amplification. This proven molecular system greatly reduces the time for results. ID NOW is one of the most widely-available molecular point-of-care testing technologies in use in the U.S. Since its introduction in 2014, it has been used in physicians’ offices to rapidly detect influenzas A & B, strep A, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
