CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The city’s top public health official is reacting to a Food and Drug Administration warning about a specific kind of COVID test used by the city.
The test in question is Curative's coronavirus test. It’s a rapid test done with a swab that’s pushed up your nose, and it’s used all over the country, including at the city of Chicago’s testing sites. But the FDA warns that unless it’s performed exactly as directed by Curative, the test could yield false negative results.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said he has no doubts about the accuracy of the tests and that the city will continue to use the COVID test.
"Obviously, we follow very closely everything related to any of our testing and anything that comes out from the FDA," Dr. Arwady said. "There was an additional communication from the FDA where Curative was hoping to be able to expand its ability to use these tests. They were hoping to be able to use it in a way that did not have to be monitored, that somebody could do it, for example, at home. And the FDA said no, we're not going to grant you that extension of your Emergency Use Authorization."
Dr. Arwady said the FDA emphasized further the best use for these tests is for people who have symptoms of COVID. The labeling highlights they can be used how they're being used in Chicago, she said.
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"We have looked closely, and our rates of positivity, the way that these tests are performing in these neighborhoods, is absolutely in line with what we are seeing in the other surrounding areas," she said. "We feel very confident, based on what we've seen at this point, related to this test. We do not have plans to move away from it."
More than two and a half million Curative COVID tests have been done by the city of Chicago.