Researchers from Abu Dhabi said that the new saliva coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test could be “100 times more sensitive” than the normal tests used to screen the virus.
In a report by Khaleej Times, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) assistant professor of biology Dr Youssef Idaghdour said that this new technique makes it possible to overcome false negatives and asymptomatic individuals carrying low viral loads–two of the main issues in the commonly used testing methods.
Earlier, COVID-19 laboratory testing operator in the UAE Pure Health has announced that it will soon introduce saliva tests to screen patients for the disease. It added that the tests will likely be validated in the next few days, and will offer an alternative to PCR nasal swabs and DPI laser tests.
READ ALSO: UAE launches COVID-19 laser testing centers with results available in minutes for only AED50
The company’s senior manager in the Scientific Office Syed Sajjad Nakvi said that they are currently collaborating with the World Health Organization to check verify the quality and proficiency of testing centers.
The UAE has already conducted 9,426,811 COVID-19 tests across the country since the onset of the pandemic, screening 106, 034 residents per day.
SEE ALSO: Residents headed to Abu Dhabi required to take nose swab, laser tests alternatively from August 27
