Coronavirus home testing kit launched by US health tech company Nurx

US health tech company Nurx has unveiled a coronavirus home testing kit apart from launching an online coronavirus consultation service to address the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already infected more than 25,000 people in the US.

The company claims to have seamlessly and safely connected people with testing, education, and care to slow down the spread of coronavirus and take off some burden on the US healthcare system.

Nurx will roll out the COVID-19 service on a limited basis and will be able to offer more than 10,000 coronavirus home test kits during the coming weeks. The health tech company plans to provide more than 100,000 home test kits in the near future, while claiming to be in a position to address the coronavirus emergency having given remote care to approximately half a million patients across the US by tapping into its deep expertise in home testing and treatment for infectious diseases.

Nurx’s COVID-19 home testing kits will initially focus on people who have had direct exposure to the coronavirus and those who are having coronavirus symptoms. Included in this are people working in hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, and schools or daycare facilities. For those who are at high-danger of contracting coronavirus, the clinical team of Nurx will be recommending in-person care.

Nurx coronavirus home testing kit. Photo courtesy of Nurx.

Nurx said that once coronavirus treatment is available, it will be able to prescribe, fulfill, and ship medication directly to the homes of patients.

Once the patient completes an online medical examination, a Nurx provider will decide if home testing is suitable, based on prevailing public health and clinical criteria for access to testing of COVID-19. Patients will get the coronavirus home testing kit delivered overnight along with detailed instructions for collecting samples and a pre-paid overnight mailer to return the sample.

Within 48 hours of the lab getting the sample, a Nurx provider will send the test result through the app or website and will advise on the suitable next steps, including whether a seek in-person care or self-isolatation is needed.

Varsha Rao – Nurx CEO, commenting on the coronavirus home testing kit said: “We believe that home testing for COVID-19 will be a crucial part of the strategy to contain the virus.

“Home testing will expand access to much needed testing while decreasing the risk of exposure to healthcare providers. The need for home testing will become even more important as more Americans are being asked to stay at home and shelter in place, and novel solutions including drive-through clinics are already overwhelmed.”

Nurx said that the COVID-19 home test was innovated by its home testing partner Molecular Testing Labs, a CAP-accredited and CLIA-licensed laboratory.

The coronavirus home testing kit service will be available initially for $135 in addition to $46 for overnight shipping to and fro. The cost will cover all the aspects of the COVID-19 home testing service, which includes the test kit components, medical provider time, administrative costs, and two-way overnight shipping delivery.