INSIDE EDITION EXCLUSIVE:

ARE SOME PEOPLE PROFITING OFF PANDEMIC SELLING UNAPPROVED FOR AT-HOME USE CORONAVIRUS TEST KITS?

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VIDEO LINK (MUST CREDIT INSIDE EDITION AND LINK BACK):

https://ietv.co/39TUIxX

New York, NY — April 9, 2020 – While scientists work for a COVID-19 treatment and cure, testing is a critical component in battling the virus. In an exclusive airing on Thursday, INSIDE EDITION discovered that some people may be profiting off the situation by advertising rapid response tests for sale online that are supposed to tell you if you have been exposed to COVID-19 within minutes after the prick of a finger.

The tests may sound promising, but so far, the Federal Drug Administration says they’re not approved or available for at-home use by the public.

“If you see them on the internet, do not buy them until we can give a test that’s reliable for all Americans,” says U.S. Coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Brix in a press conference.

Despite the lack of approval, INSIDE EDITION found alleged test kits from China being advertised for sale on Craigslist for $40 a piece.

An INSIDE EDITION producer responded to the ad posing as an interested buyer and planned to make the transaction in a New Jersey parking lot.

When the seller arrived, he told INSIDE EDITION producer Charlie McLravy that his name was Steve and that the bag of tests in his hands were authentic.

After McLravy paid Steve $400 for 10 test kits, INSIDE EDTION senior correspondent Les Trent identified himself.

Trent told Steve, “Nothing is approved by the FDA for sale. Aren’t you sort of taking advantage of this pandemic right now?

“Taking advantage?” Steve answered. “I’m not in the business of ripping off people. Sure I make a little money off this, but I’m not selling garbage.”

As for the test kits INSIDE EDITION got, there wasn’t any manufacturer’s name on the packaging or the tests themselves.

“When you’re buying a test from China or Craigslist, I think that tells you everything you need to know about whether you should trust it,” infectious disease expert Dr. Paul Offitt tells INSIDE EDITION.

For Inside Edition’s full report, tune in on Thursday, April 9^th and visit: https://ietv.co/39TUIxX. Check local listings for times and stations and in your area.

INSIDE EDITION is produced daily by Inside Edition Inc. and distributed by CBS Television Distribution.

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INSIDE EDITION

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