Single test to distinguish COVID-19, flu viruses gets FDA approval By Kelly Hayes FDA approves four at-home COVID-19 tests The FDA gave approval for the QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test, allowing certain consumers to rapidly test themselves for the coronavirus. WASHINGTON - Is it COVID-19? Could it be a cold or the flu? Waking up with a cough or runny nose is unfortunate, but it can be particularly alarming amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In response, U.S. health regulators have granted an emergency use authorization for a test that can detect the novel coronavirus, multiple types of flu viruses and a respiratory virus using a single nasal swab.