saliva PCR tests18 Apr 2021 19:22
I forget to mention also the saliva PCR testing that Novocyt have .
taken from Novocyt R&D update 24th February 2021 :
Successful implementation of saliva testing of AstraZeneca staff using the genesig® COVID-19 assay
In early 2020, AstraZeneca set up an internal programme of voluntary SARS-CoV-2 testing for asymptomatic employees in the UK and Sweden using Novacyt’s genesig ® COVID-19 test. By February 2021, approximately 70,000 SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests had been completed within AstraZeneca’s internal global testing centres, of which 54,000 are based on saliva swabs. Following the introduction of saliva testing, adoption by employees increased approximately four-fold and over 90% of 1,062 employees surveyed expressed a preference for the change from the typical oropharyngeal (throat) or nasopharyngeal (nasal) swabs. The study highlights the 90% uptake of saliva testing for asymptomatic patients and the excellent detection rates of 0.33 copies of whole viral genome RNA/µL, sensitivity of =95% and 100% specificity.9 These result shows how PCR testing can be used for asymptomatic mass-testing.