This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
DIY coronavirus saliva test being trialled
A new saliva coronavirus test that lets people collect their own sample at home by spitting into a pot is being trialled in the UK.
Led by Southampton University, the pilot will run for four weeks and will see more than 14,000 GP staff and other key workers, along with the people they live with, take part. It is hoped that the ‘no swab’ saliva test will be an easier option for people.
Participants in the trial, which will include some university staff and students, will provide weekly saliva samples for lab testing. The kit will be delivered to their home or workplace and then collected by staff working for the trial team or returned to an agreed location. It could potentially spot people who are infected but have no symptoms, yet still risk passing the disease on to others.
The saliva test looks for genetic material of the virus using a technique known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Experts say this can be simpler and faster to carry out than the standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing method used to analyse coronavirus swabs.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Saliva testing could potentially make it easier for people to take coronavirus tests at home, without having to use swabs. This trial will also help us learn if routine, at-home testing could pick up cases of the virus earlier."
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