On Friday, the FDA approved the first and only home saliva test for the coronavirus, according to UPI. The agency granted an emergency use authorization to a Rutgers University lab for the diagnostic test. Patients with a prescription from a doctor, can take the test and send the sealed sample back to the New Jersey lab for results. "Authorizing additional diagnostic tests with the option of at-home sample collection will continue to increase patient access to testing for COVID-19," FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said. The saliva test is much more comfortable than the invasive nasal test and does not require that a patient interact with a healthcare worker who has to put on personal protective gear. Since the pandemic began, the FDA has authorized over 80 COVID-19 tests.
