Scientific Reports (Jun 2021)

A novel automated SARS-CoV-2 saliva PCR test protects a global asymptomatic workforce

  • Nikki Carter,
  • Maryam Clausen,
  • Rebecca A. Halpin,
  • Colin Blackmore,
  • Kang Cai,
  • Oona Delpuech,
  • Alexander Kohlmann,
  • Otto Magnusson,
  • Ruth March,
  • Daniel O’Neill,
  • Kasthuri Prakash,
  • James Sherwood,
  • Tabetha Sundin,
  • Jason Swift,
  • Azar Tarakameh,
  • Marilou Wijdicks,
  • Daniel Wise,
  • Mark Fidock

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92070-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract Regular PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic individuals for SARS-CoV-2 virus has become the established method by which health services are managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses such as AstraZeneca have also prioritised voluntary asymptomatic testing to keep workplaces safe and maintain supply of essential medicines to patients. We describe the development of an internal automated SARS-CoV-2 testing programme including the transformative introduction of saliva as an alternative sample type.