FDA Warns of Fraudulent In-Home Test Kits for COVID-19

The headquarters of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seen in Silver Spring, Md., on Nov. 4, 2009. Jason Reed/AP-File

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday issued a warning about unauthorized fraudulent test kits intended for home use for COVID-19, the disease caused by CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

The Epoch Times refers to the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.

“The agency is beginning to see unauthorized fraudulent test kits that are being marketed to test for COVID-19 in the home,” the FDA announced. “We want to alert the American public that, at this time, the FDA has not authorized any test that is available to purchase for testing yourself at home for COVID-19.”

The FDA warned that results from the kits could “keep some patients from seeking care or delay necessary medical treatment,” and reminded consumers to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and speak to their doctor if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

The agency said that it is increasing checks at ports of entry, including International Mail Facilities, to help prevent fraudulent products coming to the United States. People who know of fake test kits for COVID-19 should also report to the agency, it said.

“We will continue to aggressively pursue those who place the public health at risk and hold bad actors accountable,” the FDA said, adding that this may include issuing warning letters, seizures or injunctions.

Earlier, the FDA issued warning letters to seven companies that were found to have been selling products claiming to treat or prevent COVID-19.

The FDA reminded Americans to refer to President Donald Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America to help slow the spread of the CCP virus.

Trump on Thursday declared that the Chinese communist regime is to blame for the CCP virus, which has spread to more than 160 countries and territories around the world, killing thousands.

Human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 was occurring from at least mid-December 2019 in Wuhan, according to a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Jan. 29. The paper found that “there is evidence that human-to-human transmission has occurred among close contacts since the middle of December 2019.”

Chinese authorities did not confirm human-to-human transmission until Jan. 20—almost three weeks after the disease was first officially reported on Dec. 31, 2019. The first patient reported with the virus exhibited symptoms on Dec. 1.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission on Jan. 14.

Cathy He contributed to this report.

READ MORE

• FDA: People Should Only Buy Enough Food for One Week
• Editorial: Giving the Right Name to the Virus Causing a Worldwide Pandemic