New coronavirus test delivers results in just 45 minutes

This is more than 4 times faster that the existing test, which takes 3-4 hours to show results.

By ZEV STUB
A medical technologist tests a respiratory panel at Northwell Health Labs, where the same test will be used on the COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, after being authorized to begin semi-automated testing by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Lake Success, New York, U.S (photo credit: REUTERS/SHANNON STAPLETON)
A medical technologist tests a respiratory panel at Northwell Health Labs, where the same test will be used on the COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, after being authorized to begin semi-automated testing by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Lake Success, New York, U.S
(photo credit: REUTERS/SHANNON STAPLETON)
A new type of test for COVID-19 can deliver results as quickly as 45 minutes. This is more than 4 times faster than the existing test, which takes 3-4 hours to show results. 
The test, called Cepheid GeneXpert, received Emergency Use Authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month for its rapid molecular diagnostic test. The system uses laboratory equipment and systems that are already being used in Israel. 
The US restricted exporting the system after it was approved by the FDA, but the Israeli company Medison was able to import it into the country through Sweden. 
The technology is already being used in nearly 40 hospitals, including geriatric centers in Shoham and the Shmuel Harofeh medical center, where it is being used to rapidly diagnose people arriving or returning to the nursing homes, the report said. 
The new tests have not yet replaced the conventional ones, but are being used for urgent cases. The system can examine up to 16 tests at one time, the report said. 
Additionally, scientists at the Technion Institute of Technlogy are developing a home test that can rapidly detect the novel coronavirus in less than an hour, The Jerusalem Post reported last week.