Coronavirus is an infectious disease that has been confirmed in more than 15 million people across the world. A new test for COVID-19 could reveal a positive infection in the same amount of time it takes to watch a show on Netflix.
The test doesn’t require an invasive nasal or throat swab, according to the creators, researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder.
All that you’d need to do is spit into a test tube which contains a small amount of solution.
Scientists then take back the mixture, and run a quick test to see whether you’re at risk.
In about 45 minutes’ time, the solution will either remain a pink colour, or it will turn yellow.
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“Every test that has been approved to date requires that the sample, even if it’s saliva, be processed in a clinical diagnostic lab or at a doctor’s office, using sophisticated equipment,” said Professor Sara Sawyer.
“That can take up to nine days right now [in the US].”
Nicolas Meyerson from the BioFrontiers Institute at the university added: “We are facing a serious testing shortage in [the US] right now as more people want to get tested and diagnostics labs are overwhelmed.
“We’ve developed a test that could get results to people much faster.”
In the UK, anybody with coronavirus symptoms are eligible for a free test.
The test involves taking a swab of the back of your throat, as well as the inside of your nose.
You can take the test at one of the UK’s drive-through testing sites, or you can get a test sent to your home.
It’s crucial that if you have any coronavirus symptoms, you get tested within the first five days of their development.