A new 'spit test' will be trialled in the UK from today with the hope it could replace the invasive swab test and ultimately encourage more people to get a Covid-19 test.
Until now, the testing procedure for coronavirus has been completed by pushing a long cotton-bud like swab to the back of the nose and throat to collect accurate readings.
It has been deemed by many who have taken the test to be 'invasive'.
The new saliva test will see a much quicker and simpler method explored by staff at the University of Southampton.
More than 14,000 GPs, staff, university staff and their relatives will take part in the trial from today (June 22).
The 48 hour test will be collected by University of Southampton staff members from the homes of the testers or from a designated pick-up area.
The test will be compared to the swab test in terms of accuracy when it comes to detecting Covid-19.
It will also explore the accuracy of routine testing from home.
If the test is as successful as the swab, Health Secretary, Matt Hancock said he hopes more people will seek the kit for testing at home:
“This trial will also help us learn if routine, at-home testing could pick up cases of the virus earlier.
“I am very grateful to everyone involved in the trial who is helping us develop our understanding of the virus which will benefit not only our but the global response to it.”
