Detecting a case of variants of concern takes around four to five days for genomic sequencing. Credit: Mufid Majnun on Unsplash.

The UK Government has announced the trial of a technology that can quickly identify new Covid-19 mutations by showing whether positive test specimens contain known variants.

Known as ‘genotype assay testing’, the technology is currently being trialled by the government in NHS Test and Trace laboratories.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

At present, detecting a case of variants of concern takes around four to five days for genomic sequencing.

The latest technology could potentially halve the time taken to detect whether a positive Covid-19 sample has a variant of concern and could be used along with standard Covid-19 testing to detect cases rapidly.

UK Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We must not stand still if we are to beat Covid-19 and safely ease restrictions in the coming months.

“That is why our goal is to eventually test every Covid positive sample for mutations, that indicate known variants, using this groundbreaking new technology.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“This type of testing will help us rapidly identify variant cases and trace contacts quicker than ever before, helping stop outbreaks in their tracks and ensuring we can continue to follow the roadmap we have set out to get back to normal life.”

According to the government, controlling variants of concerns is the key to cautiously easing lockdown restrictions in England.

In addition to the extensive testing capacity NHS Test and Trace has in place, surge testing is deployed in various targeted areas to aid in suppressing, controlling and better understanding variants of concern.

UK Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “Using this test to identify known variant of concern cases has the potential to accelerate our knowledge and understanding of variants of concern and halt their spread across the country.”