[partiallypro]

Apparently some kits were recalled because they were flawed and there is a shortage as a result. So it is somewhat understandable that the CDC doesn't want to test just anyone with flu like symptoms.

[prostheticvamp]

During flu season.

That line is always left out of this: the CDC doesn’t want to test just anyone with cold and flu symptoms ... during flu season.

The false positives are basically guaranteed to absolutely swamp the true positives at this time, and demolish any attempt to target the sick.

[empath75]

They are supposed to only test people with flu like symptoms that test negative for flu. Which this person did.

[LolWolf]

Still, the test specificity (or more generally, its predictive power) is likely to be quite low simply due to the sheer number of flu cases.

Otoh, this doesn’t really explain why there would be regulations against developing in-lab tests (as another of the sibling comments mentions).

[prostheticvamp]

Shit-tons of people with the flu test negative for flu. It’s not a very sensitive test.

[vanusa]

the CDC doesn’t want to test just anyone with cold and flu symptoms ... during flu season.

This wasn't just "anyone" though. But someone who tested negative for the usual suspects -- and just came back from a high-risk country.