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Oxford University says it has developed a test that can detect COVID-19 in less than five minutes

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) -Oxford University scientists announced Thursday that they have developed a test that can detect COVID-19 in less than five minutes, the Daily Caller reports. According to the university, the test is highly accurate and is able to differentiate the COVID-19 virus from “negative clinical samples” and “common respiratory pathogens.”

In a press release about the test, Oxford University physics professor Achilles Kapanidis said: “Unlike other technologies that detect a delayed antibody response or that require expensive, tedious and time-consuming sample preparation, our method quickly detects intact virus particles; meaning the assay is simple, extremely rapid, and cost-effective.” In developing the test, scientists had sought to create “an integrated device” that could be used in places like airports, the Daily Caller reports.

Adding to the press release, Dr. Nicole Robb, an Oxford Fellow and professor at Warwick Medical School, said: “A significant concern for the upcoming winter months is the unpredictable effects of co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 with other seasonal respiratory viruses; we have shown that our assay can reliably distinguish between different viruses in clinical samples, a development that offers a crucial advantage in the next phase of the pandemic.”

In their statement, the scientists said they are seeking investment to help the test more quickly become a “fully integrated device” that can detect other viruses as well as COVID-19.

The scientists hope to start product development in early 2021 and have an approved device available “within six months of that time,” they said in their press release.