Many countries require a 14-day quarantine for visitors to make sure incoming travelers aren’t infected by the coronavirus. A new test to detect the virus is currently being studied in the U.K. that could give results on site in 20 minutes with a simple swab.
According to Lonely Planet, the test trials will be conducted in hospitals and, if proven effective, could eliminate the need for inconvenient isolation measures ordered for travelers.
The Guardian said that the new test has had positive results in clinical settings and will be given to 4,000 people in the U.K. over a period of six weeks. The novel coronavirus test uses different technology than regular swab tests. The technology is called loop-mediated isothermal amplification and eliminates the need for laboratory testing.
It will not only facilitate international traveling, but also help the British government test and trace new coronavirus cases once lockdown rules are eased, said the Guardian.
Lynn C. Allison ✉
Lynn C. Allison, a Newsmax health reporter, is an award-winning medical journalist and author of more than 30 self-help books.
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