New Coronavirus Test Could Produce Results Six Times Faster Than CDC's
A new coronavirus test has the potential to produce results in about 40 minutes, at least six times faster than the test used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Similarly to the tests that are already available, this new one uses data that's collected from a nasal swab. Using CRISPR, a technology that can hone in on specific strings of DNA for editing, the diagnostic targets specific genetic sequences. Instead of targeting either the gene region from the World Health Organization's test or the CDC's test, it targets both.
For the test to be deemed positive, there must be a detection of both genes and a presumptive positive is if either gene is detected. Results are delivered on a lateral flow strip. The readout is similar to how an at-home pregnancy test works, so it's relatively easy to interpret.
Testing has been the wrench in America's response to the new coronavirus outbreak. At first, there weren't enough tests, then tests produced faulty results and now that improvements have been made, lag times in receiving results have left people waiting days to know if they're infected.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/new-coronavirus-test-could-produce-results-six-times-faster-than-cdcs/ar-BB12IZtr?li=BBnbfcL