Kay Ivey applauds Donald Trump for distribution of rapid Covid-19 tests

0
53
(Dan Busey/The Decatur Daily via AP)

Many experts agree: rapid Covid-19 tests keep businesses open and help protect vulnerable lives. On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey applauded the efforts of Donald Trump and his administration for the distribution of over 1 million rapid Covid-19 tests to the state of Alabama. According to the press release, the Alabama Department of Public Health will be receiving these shipments in phases, and the initial shipment will be approximately 96,000 tests. 

Abbott Laboratories Point of care (POC) testing allows doctors to receive results in real-time rather than hours or days. Testing at the point of care “streamlines the diagnostic process and helps ensure patients receive the most effective and efficient care when and where it is needed.” According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 test is “a lateral flow test that detects the presence of protein antigens from SARS-CoV-2 in individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider within the first seven days of symptom onset.”

President Trump announced he would be distributing over 150 million rapid tests to facilities around the country. The tests will help vulnerable populations in nursing homes, hospice facilities, assisted living facilities, and schools.

“Before we knew much about this novel virus and before we had our first confirmed case in Alabama, President Trump and his Administration have been diligent in providing any additional resources that we needed in our state,” Governor Ivey said. “These rapid response tests are going to be a welcome resource as we work to get our students back in the classroom and Alabamians back to work,” Ivey continued. “As we anticipate a successful vaccine in the near future, providing Alabamians – especially our students and vulnerable citizens – with this free resource will be another critical tool in the toolbox to combat COVID-19.”