A low-cost saliva test that will enable people to collect their own samples with minimal discomfort, without invasive nasal or throat swabs, could well be the way forward to detect the novel coronavirus, say scientists. Giving a thumbs up to the alternative testing technology that is yet to be introduced in India, scientists said it would deliver results faster and more accurately and also minimise the risk for healthcare workers collecting samples. The saliva-basedCOVID-19 diagnosisoffers an improvement over standard nasopharyngeal swabmethodsbecause people can collect their own samples with ease -- simply spit into a sterile tube and mail it to a lab for processing.

A low-cost saliva test that will enable people to collect their own samples with minimal discomfort, without invasive nasal or throat swabs, could well be the way forward to detect the novel coronavirus, say scientists. Giving a thumbs up to the alternative testing technology that is yet to be introduced in India, scientists said it would deliver results faster and more accurately and also minimise the risk for healthcare workers collecting samples. The saliva-basedCOVID-19 diagnosisoffers an improvement over standard nasopharyngeal swabmethodsbecause people can collect their own samples with ease -- simply spit into a sterile tube and mail it to a lab for processing.