Cue Well being Cue Reader Evaluation: Correct and Costly Covid-19 Take a look at Equipment | Zero Tech

i attempted a dozen dwelling Covid exams prior to now yr. If it is on the shelf of a drugstore, pharmacy, or grocery retailer, you’ve got in all probability used it a number of instances. However each time I open a check like BinaxNow or QuickVue, I maintain on the lookout for the instruction guide, principally out of concern of getting a vital step improper. It has been a continuing reminder of why I desire utilizing Cue Well being’s Cue Reader diagnostic software over another dwelling check. It is freed from tubes, options, cassettes and check strips.

I wasn’t all the time a fan of this Covid-19 check equipment. Final yr, I initially stopped recommending it attributable to its jaw-dropping beginning worth of $444, which has since dropped to $394 (and nonetheless costly). it simply felt improper throughout a pandemic when hundreds of thousands of individuals had been shedding their jobs and chopping bills attributable to unpredictable instances. It was a lot smarter to spend about $25 on a house check (half of which was lined by insurance coverage) and obtain eight free exams per 30 days. Additionally, there was all the time the choice of taking a free Covid check at an area testing web site.

Nonetheless, the Biden administration has suspended its free dwelling covid testing program attributable to lack of funding from Congress. Federal funding without spending a dime Covid testing areas and partial insurance coverage protection for dwelling testing (plus free vaccines and drugs) are additionally operating out. This might imply that replenishing your inventory at dwelling could change into costlier within the coming months. Out of the blue, investing in a Cue Reader would not really feel to this point fetched.

A compact and quick machine

Cue Well being’s dwelling check facilities round a small hub referred to as the Cue Reader, which may detect the genetic materials of a virus. Referred to as a molecular check, it’s usually extra correct than an antigen (often known as a fast check) and akin to a polymerase chain response (PCR) check, with the flexibility to establish small traces of SARS-CoV-2 sooner, doubtlessly even a day or two earlier than you begin to really feel any signs. That may be important with regards to stopping the unfold of the virus. Cue says his check has a 97.8 % accuracy fee (simply behind the single-use Lucira dwelling molecular check, which the corporate claims is 98 % correct). In keeping with this impartial examine, Cue’s dwelling molecular check additionally demonstrated 99.4% accuracy in comparison with laboratory PCR exams.

The Cue Reader is compact and would not look ugly. I maintain it on my desk, however I can even see it resting on an entry desk or kitchen counter. Additionally it is straightforward to journey with. I threw it in my baggage once I went to California final summer time, however I additionally maintain it in my bag once I go dwelling to go to my mother and father. It is rechargeable, so you do not have to fret about changing batteries (I simply maintain it plugged in at my desk).

My favourite factor about this method is testing, one thing I by no means thought I’d say. Sure, you continue to have to swab your nostrils, however the remaining could be very straightforward and would not really feel like a science experiment. There aren’t any answer tubes. As a substitute, Cue Reader handles every thing. It really works by way of Bluetooth, so you will want a smartphone to make use of the Reader, but it surely’s straightforward to arrange. Obtain the app, create an account and pair the Cue Reader along with your cellphone. While you’re able to take a check, open the app to see a walkthrough of every step. There are so few steps that it is easy to memorize, no instruction guide wanted.

The Reader comes with a number of cartridges, and identical to you’ll push it tremendous mario world on the Tremendous Nintendo Leisure System, you should first push one among these cartridges into the reader and look forward to it to warmth up. As soon as the app says the cartridge is prepared, wipe your nostril with the included wand and insert it into the cartridge. That’s all! After 20 minutes, you’ll be able to examine your outcomes in your cellphone and, if essential, ship the outcomes as a PDF by way of e-mail or textual content message. Cleanup can be a breeze, although maybe as wasteful as different dwelling kits: take away the cartridge from the reader and eliminate it.