'No-swab' Coronavirus test piloted in Southampton

A weekly Coronavirus testing model using a new ‘no-swab’ saliva test is to be piloted in Southampton from this week.

Participants will be able to complete Coronavirus tests at home by putting their saliva into a sample pot to be tested for current infections of the virus.

GP staff, other essential key workers, university employees and members of their households will be among the first groups to participate in the pilot.

Samples will be collected from homes by University of Southampton staff or returned to an agreed location on a weekly basis and participants will receive test results within 48 hours.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “Saliva testing could potentially make it even easier for people to take coronavirus tests at home, without having to use swabs. This trial will also help us learn if routine, at-home testing could pick up cases of the virus earlier.”

The pilot will be jointly led by Southampton City Council, the University of Southampton and the NHS, alongside a wider network of public services in Hampshire.

In addition to the new application of using saliva from Optigene being piloted in Southampton, the potential of other no-swab saliva-based coronavirus tests are being explored with companies, including Chronomics, Avacta, MAP Science and Oxford Nanoimaging (ONI).

Professor Keith Godfrey, University of Southampton, said: “The health, social and economic impacts of lockdown cannot be underestimated. Through this initiative we believe we can contribute to safely restoring economic activity within the city and region during national relaxation measures, whilst enabling people to regain their lives, work and education.”

The pilot will run for up to four weeks testing people on a weekly basis. Participants for the pilot are currently being registered with self-testing due to start next week.