Texas Startup Offers At-Home COVID-19 Testing

Imaware, based in Houston, is among the first companies to receive federal approval to distribute COVID-19 test kits to people at home.

Although imaware’s tests can be administered at home, they still require the presence of a medical assistant or nurse to comply with federal regulations. And, as of now, the tests are being limited to people who have symptoms, have been exposed or are unable to leave their home.

Imaware is working with the Houston Health Department to identify people who are unable to access testing at the drive-thru sites.

“Who we want to catch is anybody who feels like they haven’t had a chance to be tested or screened,” imaware co-founder Jani Tuomi told the Houston Chronicle.

The new test could be a godsend for Texas nursing homes, which have seen an explosion of coronavirus cases.

For now, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any at-home tests that can be self-administered.