Saliva tests for people without symptoms approved

Jul 18, 2020 | News On Japan

Jul 18, 2020 (NHK) - Japan's health ministry approved on Friday the use of saliva to conduct PCR tests for people with no coronavirus symptoms.

Last month, the ministry allowed the use of saliva in PCR tests for the coronavirus, in addition to the method of swabbing the nostril. But tests using saliva, which are considered to be easier, were limited to those who had symptoms, like a fever.

The ministry says it did saliva-based PCR tests on people without symptoms, and determined that the results were mostly the same as those obtained using the nose-swabbing method.

Saliva tests for people without symptoms will likely be used at quarantine stations at airports in Japan. Officials hope it will lead to more efficient testing as the number of people traveling to and from the country is expected to increase.

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