Coronavirus: Scripps Health Launches 5-Minute Test In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — Scripps Health has launched the fastest available point-of-care test for detecting the new coronavirus at its five hospitals in San Diego County.

The test, which will be used to screen for COVID-19 in hospitalized patients requiring quick diagnostic turnaround, can deliver a positive result in as little as five minutes and a negative result in 13 minutes, according to a news release. The diagnostic tool received emergency-use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration on March 27.

"Testing is a critical part of the overall response to the coronavirus pandemic," said Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of Scripps Health. "Today, Scripps moves that important tool to the front line of our fight against this devastating disease. The ability to deliver results in minutes at our hospitals for patients exhibiting possible symptoms of COVID-19 will allow our physicians to make faster and better decisions about delivering the best care needed."

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates in San Diego County. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

The assay runs on Abbott's ID NOW infectious-disease-testing platform, a 6.6-pound, toaster-sized portable device that uses molecular technology to deliver reliable and accurate results.

For COVID-19, the platform looks for the coronavirus RdRp gene in throat, nasal, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs taken from patients who might be infected.

The ID NOW system joins several other platforms already in use at Scripps laboratories for in-house testing for COVID-19, as well as outside testing capacity provided through Quest Diagnostics.

Related coverage:

• Coronavirus Death Toll Climbs To 36 In San Diego County
• Coronavirus Cases Surpass 1,000 Milestone In San Diego County
• Face Coverings Urged As Coronavirus Cases Rise In San Diego
• San Diego Authorities To Crack Down On Stay-At-Home Violators
• Oceanside To Close Beaches; Only Coronado Remains Open In County
• Listen To Stay-Home, Social-Distance Mandates: San Diego County Sheriff
• Supervisors Put Moratorium On Evictions For Residents, Small Businesses
• California Coronavirus Latest: Updates On Cases, Orders, Closures