Oxford-based scientists developed a new faster-working test to determine whether a patient is infected with COVID-19. Relatively, a group from the Engineering Service Department of the University of Oxford, and the Suzhou Cetnre for Advanced Research (OSCAR), has been working for the improvement from the present testing procedure which usually takes up to two hours for the result to become available, not to mention the need of a specialized specimen.
This newly-developed test kit yields accurate results in just 30 minutes. Essentially, the kit's sensitivity allows it to determine the virus earlier than expected. More so, it only needs a "standard heat block" to function. This could be specifically advantageous in rural areas, or more isolated places minus the access to the complicated device needed at present as it facilitates the tests in, for example, different community health centers.
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100% Success Rate
The new COVID-19 test kit has already tried on 16 clinical samples and achieved a 100-percent rate in diagnostic success in Shenzhen Luohu People's Hospital which is located in China. It is expected to be rolled out for testing in clinics within the next couple of weeks. In addition, the team of scientists at Oxford is currently working on a completely-incorporated version of the test for deployment in areas other than the clinics like homes and airports.
At present, the UK Government, as in the other countries, is working hard to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, especially that the number of cases continues to surge. Presently too, the UK has a total number of 6,650 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 335 deaths. Meanwhile, the ability to effectively and quickly test possible COVID-19 cases will allow more people to undergo testing and strengthen procedures to prevent the spread of the infectious illness. More so, the test kit aims to fast-track the treatment of patients which can possibly lessen the more severe impacts of COVID-19.
Aiming to Help 'Flatten the Curve'
As this new pandemic is sweeping the world, there has been a strong initiative to "flatten the curve" of areas and people affected by COVID-19. Meaning, there is an attempt to control the infection rate in order for the public services not to be overwhelmed.
More so, intensive care units (ICUs) across the nation are certainly already at the capacity along with certain patients' conditions, spilling over into the recovery sections, as well as taking over the hospitals' other areas. With these conditions in various hospitals, a more efficient testing kit like this one can ease the pressure on emergency services as the virus continues to spread fast, potentially restricting the number of fatalities.
One of the leaders of the team, Professor Wei Huang said, the advantage of this new test they developed "lies in the viral detection's design" that can particularly identify COVID-19 RNA and RNA fragments. More so, the test features built-in checks for the prevention of either "false positives or negatives," and most of all, the results have been extensively accurate.
Additionally, OSCAR director, Professor Zhanfeng Cui said, he is proud of their team that has developed such a helpful technology, not to mention, the ability to contribute to battling COVID-19. Prof. Cui added they are grateful to the medical team of the hospital for taking part in trying the new technology they introduced.
