HHS launches fast molecular testing pilot

The Department of Health and Human Services recently distributed 27,000 portable COVID-19 molecular test kits, which Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Texas can use at the point of care to verify antigen test results within 20 minutes. The pilot program is part of a $481 million contract with Cue Health that HHS and the Department of Defense announced last month. The Food and Drug Administration in June authorized the testing system’s emergency use in patient care settings operating under a CLIA certificate of waiver, compliance or accreditation. “The pilot program will help us determine how well the Cue test will be adapted in institutions and communities,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir, M.D.