Immunodiagnostic Systems has announced the availability of two SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid test kits in the UK, EU and other countries that accept the CE mark. The tests can be performed by all healthcare professionals, using direct nasopharyngeal swab samples that provide results within 15 minutes.

The Indian Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) has received Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approval to commercially use the dry swab RNA-extraction free testing method for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The move allows health authorities to scale testing and access at lower costs compared to other conventional RT-PCR tests, with a quick turnaround time.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) and Providence Health Care have collaborated to launch the WestJet-YVR Covid-19 Testing Study. A first-of-its-kind in Canada, the study will investigate Covid-19 rapid testing to create more effective ways to test departing passengers at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Veritas Intercontinental has launched a new service that analyses individual cients’ response to Covid-19 through whole genome or whole exome sequencing. The objective of the saliva-based sample analysis is to personalise treatment for individuals and avoid complications. People can avail the service through Veritas or Veritas partner networks, and those who have their genome sequenced through the myGenome by Veritas can receive the Covid-19 study without additional sample submission.