The CoronaVirus pandemic has the world on high alert. The world feels the effects of the disease though it is more pronounced in some part more than others. On Wednesday, 18th March 2020, the cases stood at 207,000 globally, with more than 7,000 of the victims found in the United States. The virus has claimed the lives of more than 8000 people; 115 of the victims were in the United States. Health agencies and scientists are working on controlling the disease.
The New Technology for Testing COVID-19
Oxford University scientists have come up with new technology for making the diagnosis for coronavirus. The validation of the test took place at Shenzen Luohou People’s Hospital, located in China through real clinical samples. The research for this technology was facilitated by the department of engineering science at Oxford University and Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR). Prof Wei Huang and Prof. Zhanfeng Cui led the group of scientists.
The scientists designed the test to ensure the results are definitive by eliminating the chances of getting a false positive or negative; the outcomes have been very desirable. The viral detection technology in the test can detect RNA and the fragments of RNA of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The new technology needs a simple heat-block that makes sure the temperatures remain constant when amplifying the DNA and during the reverse transcription of RNA. The results of tests done on the new test are visible with the naked eye. This feature makes it likely for the test to be used in health centers located in rural areas.
Researchers also claim that the test is quite sensitive; hence it can make a diagnosis sooner. This is essential as early diagnosis means the victims get a better chance of recovering and also minimize the spread of the disease. The development of an integrated gadget for carrying out tests in airports, homes, and clinics is ongoing.
The Comparison of the New and Old Test
According to scientists, the new technology for testing COVID-19 is faster than the old test, which involved the testing of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). The new test uses simple instruments as well, and the technique used to develop it produces results in about 30 minutes. The new technology is more than three times quicker than the previous technology. The old test for testing viral levels in RNA took between an hour and a half to two hours.
This discovery is an excellent step in making sure the outbreak of COVID-19 is controlled soon enough.
