White House Testing Staff For COVID-19, But Are Results Accurate?

White House Testing Staff For COVID-19, But Are Results Accurate?

Business Insider reports that at least a dozen people who may work near U.S. President Trump and VP, Mike Pence tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week.

White House staff are being tested for the virus using a Abbott Laboratories device.

The ID Now rapid testing system produces results within 13 minutes or less.

But some studies have shown that it gives false negatives.

A New York University study released on Tuesday said the device missed a third of the positive samples when using nasal swabs, and over 48% with dry nasal swabs.

Abbott admits that false negatives occur, but says the test works well if used with fresh samples on swabs, not those dissolved in liquid.