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LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - A weekly coronavirus testing
regime using a "no-swab" saliva test is being trialled in
Southampton, southern England, and could result in a simpler and
quicker way to detect outbreaks of the virus, the British
government said on Monday.
"Saliva testing could potentially make it even easier for
people to take coronavirus tests at home, without having to use
swabs," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
"This trial will also help us learn if routine, at-home
testing could pick up cases of the virus earlier."
More than 14,000 doctors and health workers, other essential
workers and university staff and their households will
participate in the trial, which uses an Optigene test, the
government said.
Rather than taking a swab, which some people find
uncomfortable, participants will spit into a pot. Test results
will be received within 48 hours, the government said.
The pilot will be jointly led by Southampton City Council,
the University of Southampton, and the state-run health service,
alongside a wider network of public services in Hampshire.
The government said it was also exploring the potential of
other no-swab saliva based coronavirus tests with companies
including Chronomics, Avacta, MAP Science and Oxford
Nanoimaging (ONI).
It said it was also working with suppliers including DNA
Genotek, International Scientific Supplies Ltd, Isohelix and
other leading manufacturers, to develop bespoke saliva
collection kits and scale up manufacturing for products that can
be used with existing PCR tests.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle, editing by Estelle Shirbon)
