A weekly coronavirus testing model using a new ‘no-swab’ saliva
test is to be piloted in Southampton from this week (22 June).
Participants will be able to complete coronavirus tests at home
by putting their saliva into a sample pot to be tested for
current infections of the virus.
GP staff, other essential key workers, university employees and
members of their households will be among the first groups to
participate in the pilot, with test kits delivered either to
their home or place of work for them to complete every week.
Samples will be collected safely from homes by University of
Southampton staff or returned to an agreed location on a weekly
basis and participants will receive test results within 48 hours.
Health Secretary, said:
“Saliva testing could potentially make it even easier for people
to take coronavirus tests at home, without having to use swabs.
This trial will also help us learn if routine, at-home testing
could pick up cases of the virus earlier.
“I am very grateful to everyone involved in the trial who is
helping us develop our understanding of the virus which will
benefit not only our but the global response to it.”
The new saliva test will be significant to increasing testing
capacity and accessibility as it does not require the use of a
swab, which some people find uncomfortable. The test has already
been shown to be highly promising and the pilot is undertaking
further validation against PCR nasal swabs.
Weekly testing as part of the pilot will help to identify
coronavirus cases early on, including for those with no or minor
symptoms, meaning those who test positive can isolate within
their households. The details of those who test positive will be
shared with the NHS Test and Trace programme so contact tracing
can start immediately.
This comes on top of the routine testing of asymptomatic staff in
health and care settings already taking place using existing
testing capacity.
The pilot will be jointly led by Southampton City Council, the
University of Southampton, and the NHS, alongside a wider network
of public services in Hampshire.
In addition to the new application of using saliva from Optigene
being piloted in Southampton, we are currently exploring the
potential of other no-swab saliva based coronavirus tests with
companies including Chronomics, Avacta, MAP Science and Oxford
Nanoimaging (ONI). We are also working with a number of
suppliers, including DNA Genotek, International Scientific
Supplies Ltd, Isohelix and other leading manufacturers, to
develop bespoke saliva collection kits and scale up manufacturing
for products that can be used with existing PCR tests.
Southampton City Council Director of Public Health, Debbie Chase
said:
“We will initially invite Southampton’s 800-strong GP-practice
workforce and their households to take part, followed by some
other essential key workers and some University of Southampton
staff and students as we evaluate the logistics needed for
regular testing of large population groups.”
Professor Keith Godfrey, University of Southampton said:
“The health, social and economic impacts of lockdown cannot be
underestimated. Through this initiative we believe we can
contribute to safely restoring economic activity within the city
and region during national relaxation measures, whilst enabling
people to regain their lives, work and education.”
The pilot will run for up to four weeks testing people on a
weekly basis. Participants for the pilot are currently being
registered with self-testing due to start next week.
Notes to editors:
- When participants are enrolled in the trial they will be
informed that their details will be shared with the NHS Test and
Trace programme so contact tracing can start immediately if there
is a positive test.
- The need for self-isolation if participants test positive is
stated in the introductory information for the pilot and the NHS
Test and Trace programme will be contacting everyone who tests
positive.
- Up to 2,000 saliva tests using Direct RT-LAMP have been
completed and the results will be used in the pre-programme
validation of the saliva sample test.
- The groups we will be rolling out sampling to include GP
practice staff with their households, staff of two big employers
and their households and university students in halls of
residence:
-
- Week 2-4: Initial GP staff and household members (200
tests/week) for 3 weeks
- Week 3-4: Wider GP staff (2,300 tests/week), some
University of Southampton employees (10,000 tests/week) and
some key workers at Southampton City Council (2,200
tests/week) for 2 weeks, including their household
members
- Week 4: university students in halls of residence (~1,300
tests)
- Total tests carried out: 33,000 – 40,000 LAMP assays
(depending on household sizes)
