Missoula health department offering rapid tests at Flynn Lane clinic

The Missoula City-County Health Department has moved to a new rapid COVID-19 test produced by Abbott BinaxNOW at its Flynn Lane clinic.

BinaxNOW rapid tests are developed by Abbott, the same company that provided the county’s previous rapid tests, Abbott ID NOW. The health department is offering the rapid test in addition to its ID NOW tests, saying they are more readily available.

Abbot test results are generally ready in 15 minutes and are correct 97% of the time.

"MCCHD is confident that the Abbott BinaxNOW will consistently provide accurate results in a timely manner," the department said in a news release.

Abbot BinaxNOW has been approved for use under the Federal Drug Administration’s (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization.