Track Covid-19 in 5 minutes with ID NOW, a portable mini-lab

As the coronavirus gains ground, this mini-lab that can screen for Covid-19 in 5 minutes could be the key to overcoming the epidemic.

As in many countries, classic tests are sorely lacking in the United States. Lately, the American authorities have therefore quickly validated new types of devices. Among them, a model called ID NOW, from the firm Abbott, is particularly promising.

ID NOW to track Covid-19 in 5 minutes

The size of a toaster, the NOW ID can screen in just 5 minutes if the patient is affected from Covid-19. However, it will take about 13 minutes to find out if a case is negative. Until now, you had to wait at least several hours before getting the results of a Review.

Another advantage of the new device: its small size which allows it to be usable outside a hospital. In fact, the US authorities have given their approval for emergency use by accredited laboratories and doctors.

How it works ?

To detect the Covid-19 in 5 minutes, the ID NOW uses a molecular technology looking for small parts of the virus. Once the section is located, the device uses it as a starting point to analyze the rest of the microbe's RNA until there is enough data to diagnose a case.

We therefore understand that negative cases take a little longer since the device will not be able to identify any of the segments sought. But the method is much more efficient than those currently in circulation.

In any case, Abbott plans to produce 50,000 tests per day starting next week. These should notably help the United States make up for its delay in screening.

As a reminder, the coronavirus has already done more than 33,000 dead worldwide. So being able to track down the Covid-19 in 5 minutes will save as many lives as possible while waiting forother more effective means.