August 11, 2020 – Quidel Corporation (San Diego, CA) announced that the State of Maryland has allowed point-of-care testing for COVID-19. Under the new directive, Maryland residents who believe they should be tested can now contact their healthcare provider, who can order a “COVID-19 test for any individual who believes it necessary, regardless of symptoms.”
Separately, as part of its Nursing Home Program, and in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Quidel has expanded its Point-of-Care training protocol to help ensure that nursing home health care workers are appropriately trained in the use of the Sofia 2 instrument and the Sofia SARS Antigen FIA. Quidel now offers nursing home customers a multifaceted approach to training including: online self-guided step by step videos, live virtual training events, certificate programs, Virena data management system connection and other support functions via Quidel’s dedicated nursing home site: togetheragain.quidel.com.
Quidel currently sells several different Sofia assays in the U.S., including the Sofia SARS Antigen FIA under FDA EUA and other FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived assays, including tests for Influenza A and B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Group A Strep, and a 15-minute finger-stick whole blood test for Lyme Disease. In addition, Quidel also markets Sofia tests for Lyme Disease, Legionella, and S. pneumoniae in Europe.
