Thirty-Second COVID-19 Test Is in Development at University of Florida

Researchers at the University of Florida in collaboration with Taiwan’s National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University are developing a highly accurate COVID-19 test that provides results in 30 seconds. The test uses a special device that researchers suggest will provide results as accurate as the current gold standard, the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR test. Users apply a test strip to their tongue to collect saliva and then insert the strip into the device. The device detects SARS-CoV-2 by measuring the level of electrical pulses produced, and is said to be 90% effective. While the device has yet to undergo review by the United States Food and Drug Administration, researchers hope the device will sell for about $50 and could be used at home, in addition to clinical and public health settings. Click here to read more.