[ti:Home Use COVID-19 Test to Be Available in US Soon] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]The first home test for COVID-19 [00:03.44]that does not require a doctor's order [00:06.64]will soon be ready for Americans. [00:11.20]The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [00:14.88]approved the rapid coronavirus test on Tuesday. [00:20.84]It is part of an effort to expand testing in the United States, [00:26.36]which has the most reported infections and deaths in the world. [00:33.32]The test is similar to another home test [00:36.48]approved for emergency use recently. [00:41.16]But that test requires a doctor's order. [00:46.92]In a statement, FDA chief Stephen Hahn said [00:51.80]“a patient can buy it, swab their nose, run the test [00:57.24]and find out their results in as little as 20 minutes.” [01:03.36]The tests can be bought at drug stores or online, [01:08.48]but supplies will be limited at first. [01:13.16]Australian manufacturer Ellume said it expects to produce [01:18.16]3 million tests next month before expanding production [01:23.04]over the first half of 2021. [01:27.64]The test will cost around $30. [01:32.44]The test includes a nose swab, [01:35.12]a chemical substance and a testing strip. [01:39.48]A smart phone app shows and explains the test results. [01:45.44]Users can also contact a health worker through the app. [01:51.68]For months, health experts have centered on the need [01:55.64]for fast and widely available home testing. [02:00.88]The goal is to have people test themselves [02:04.40]and avoid contact with others if they have an infection. [02:10.48]But the large majority of tests still require a nasal swab [02:15.84]performed by a health worker and results to be processed in a laboratory. [02:22.64]Ellume's test looks for viral proteins from COVID-19. [02:28.96]It is different from those that look for the genetic material of the virus. [02:35.56]FDA officials noted that Ellume's test [02:39.28]can sometimes deliver false positive and false negative results. [02:45.84]People who get a negative result [02:48.12]but have signs of coronavirus infection [02:51.00]should talk with a health worker, the agency said. [02:56.00]Currently, the U.S. is testing nearly 2 million people each day, [03:01.52]more than any other nation. [03:04.88]But most health experts agree [03:07.28]the country needs to be testing many times more. [03:12.92]Dr. Michael Mina of Harvard University called the new test [03:18.00]“a great addition,” to existing choices. [03:22.64]He noted, however, that its price [03:25.32]could limit the number of people who use it. [03:29.32]He added, “I just hope it doesn't drive [03:32.72]more of a wedge between haves and have nots.” [03:37.88]I'm Jonathan Evans. [03:39.52]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM