Friday, April 3, 2020

Rutgers Launches Genetic Testing Service for New Coronavirus

Rutgers Launches Genetic Testing Service for New Coronavirus
Excerpt: RUCDR has also submitted an emergency use authorization request for a saliva collection method that will allow for broader population screening. The RUCDR effort, which significantly increases the much-needed testing capacity in New Jersey, will provide information that allows people who test positive to self-quarantine, thus limiting the spread of the virus. In addition, health care providers, first responders and others will be able to quickly and safely return to work after recovering from COVID-19 and testing negative. The test is available now and based on a Nobel Prize-winning laboratory technique that makes millions of copies of the SARS-CoV-2 virus nucleic acid (in this case RNA) in a sample. Testing a nasal or throat swab sample determines whether someone is infected, with results available to providers within three days. Saliva testing would be a new development and would allow testing without the need of a medical provider to take the sample. (...) “Saliva testing will help with the global shortage of swabs for sampling and increase testing of patients, and it will not require health care professionals to collect samples,” Brooks said. [They expect to be able to process “tens of thousands” of samples daily. Another tool to get a handle on COVID-19. Ron P.]

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