COVID-19: Oxford University developing five-minute antigen test

Scientists from Britain’s University of Oxford have developed a rapid COVID-19 test able to identify the coronavirus in less than five minutes, researchers said on Thursday, adding it could be used in mass testing at airports and businesses. The university hopes to start product development in early 2021 and have an approved device six months later. It will be able to detect the coronavirus and distinguish it from other viruses with high accuracy, the researchers said. “Our method quickly detects intact virus particles,” said professor Achilles Kapanidis, at Oxford’s Department of Physics, adding that this meant the test would be “simple, extremely rapid, and cost-effective”. Rapid antigen tests are seen as key in rolling out mass-testing and reopening economies while the coronavirus is still circulating. Siemens Healthineers on Wednesday announced the launch of a rapid antigen test kit in Europe to detect coronavirus infections but warned the industry may struggle to meet a surge in demand. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">