Coronavirus: New test developed by scientists takes 30 minutes to work; costs over GHC600
- Researchers in the United Kingdom have developed a test for the coronavirus that lasts a maximum of 30 minutes
- With the use of hand-held hardware, the method uses nasal and throat swabs which are not sent to the laboratory
- The device costs about $120 and comes with individual swab sample kits that cost $5 per person
Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
A new type of test which has been developed by scientists in the United Kingdom (UK) could help detect the coronavirus in about 30 minutes.
The scientists are from Brunel University London, Lancaster University and the University of Surrey.
The procedure involves the use of hand-held hardware that costs an estimated $120 and comes with individual swab sample kits that cost $5 per person.
READ ALSO: African innovation hub teams up with the United Kingdom to develop 10-minute coronavirus test
YEN.com.gh understands that the test follows the principles of an existing technology that was popular in the Philippines for testing viral spread in chickens.
Per a report by Techcrunch, it has been modified by researchers and used in detecting the coronavirus in humans as plans for mass production are underway.
The researchers expressed confidence about the potency of the test as they await approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
They indicated that upon approval, it could be available for use on people affected by the coronavirus within a few weeks.
The hardware, which is operated with a battery and connects to a smartphone application, displays diagnostic results and functions with nasal and throat swabs without the need for samples to be sent to a laboratory.
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States of America (USA) has initiated moves to ensure that tests for the coronavirus be expanded all over the country.
The FDA is, therefore, granting a special ‘emergency use authorization’ for tests and equipment.
YEN.com.gh understands that the USA lags behind several countries around the world with regard to tests conducted relative to its population size.
One of the various tests approved, Cepheid’s COVID-19 test is capable of expanding the availability of frontline tests in hospitals and clinics.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Microsoft, Apple, Google's Alphabet and Amazon lose $1 trillion
Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana
Coronavirus in Ghana: Disinfection of Accra Markets against COVID-19 | #Yencomgh
Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our Facebook page or on Instagram with your stories, photos or videos
Source: YEN.com.gh
