Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first diagnostic test for use with home- collected patient samples to detect both COVID-19 and influenza A and B (flu).The FDA authorized Quest Diagnostics RC COVID-19 +Flu RT-PCR Test for prescription use with the Quest Diagnostics Self-Collection Kit for COVID-19 +Flu by individuals who are suspected of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19 when home collection is determined to be appropriate by an individual’s healthcare provider.   

Under a health care provider’s order, patients can self-collect a nasal sample at home and then ship it to Quest Diagnostics for analysis, using the instructions in the collection kit.