'No-swab' saliva test for coronavirus piloted in Britain

Monday, 22 June 2020 16:13

A "no-swab" saliva test is being trialled in the UK to look at the potential of making it easier for people to take coronavirus tests at home.

The pilot, led by Southampton University, will involve participants putting their saliva into a sample pot, with results delivered in 48 hours.

More than 14,000 doctors, other essential key workers, university staff and members of their households will participate in the trial that will run for four weeks.

"This trial will also help us learn if routine, at-home testing could pick up cases of the virus earlier," explained Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

More from International News

France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s

France's top court on Friday blocked a bill banning social media access for under-15s, saying it infringed upon freedom of expression and delivering a setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who asked his government to rewrite the legislation.
Japan's record rains strand thousands at Narita airport; kill eight

Record rainfall in Japan stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita airport on Friday, bringing floods to the surrounding area that disrupted transport, knocked out power to 20,000 homes and killed eight.
Tunnel collapses at Indian hydropower project, killing at least 7

A tunnel under construction at a hydropower project in India's northern hill state of Uttarakhand collapsed overnight, leaving at least seven workers dead, officials said on Friday.
Air India A320 briefly lost key flight controls, Airbus analysis shows

An Air India Airbus dropped about 300 feet this month, injuring 24 people on board, after the aircraft registered a loss of hydraulic pressure that briefly left key flight controls unresponsive, according to a preliminary Airbus analysis reviewed by Reuters.