Covid-19 Diagnosis
Have I got the virus?The standard test uses a nasal swab (which can be self-administered) or a nose/throat area swab (done by trained healthcare workers). Current tests are thought to have up to 30% false negatives.
A study indicates that saliva collection may be easier to use and collects more viral material. The false negative rate appears to be better too (only 12%). Still to be confirmed by other studies.
Have I had the virus?
Antigen tests (which identify someone has had the infection) use a blood sample. These are still in development.END
