Chinese scientists say they have developed a new coronavirus test that is as accurate as a PCR lab test but gives results within four minutes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are widely considered the most accurate and sensitive for the virus that causes Covid-19, but they usually take several hours.
Some countries have experienced severe backlogs in the face of heavy testing demand, fuelled by the explosive spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. Researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai say they have a solution.
In a peer-reviewed article published Monday in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, the team said their sensor — which uses microelectronics to analyse genetic material from swabs — can reduce the need for time-consuming Covid lab tests.
“We implemented an electromechanical biosensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 into an integrated and portable prototype device, and show that it detected (virus RNA) in less than four minutes,” the team said in the paper, referring to the official name of the Covid pathogen.
PCR tests are not only slow, but they also require lab infrastructure that can be limited in many countries, reducing the number of cases that can be handled each day. And while rapid diagnostic tests have now become available in many parts of the world, they are generally less accurate.
China is one of the world’s biggest makers of coronavirus test kits. According to customs data, it exported $1.6 billion worth of test kits in December, a 144 percent increase from the previous month.
Source: eNCA
In other news – Murdah Bongz and DJ Zinhle celebrate Asante’s 5th month birthday
DJ Zinhle and Murdah Bongz celebrate their daughter, Asante as she turns 5-month-old today, 8th of February. The lovers gush over the growth of their bundle of joy, as they celebrate her monthly.
The Black Motion member melts heart with cute videos of himself with Asante. Taking to social media, the two announced the cutie’s growth with lovely posts. Learn more
