Singapore approves saliva-based COVID-19 testing

The test kits will be used in a new COVID-19 testing lab at Changi Airport.

The Health and Science Authority has approved the use of a deep-throat saliva (DTS) COVID-19 testing kit called RESOLUTE 2.0 by Advanced MedTech Holdings (AMTH).

According to AMTH, the DTS specimen collection is less invasive and more comfortable than the current collection which involves swabs inserted into the back of the nose and throat because DTS collection only requires patients to draw out saliva from deep within their throat and spit into a specimen bottle.

“This makes it easy-to-administer and allows patients to conduct the collection themselves without the supervision of medical professionals, therefore mitigating the risks of potential virus spread as well,” AMTH said.

The clinical performance of DTS is supported by clinical studies involving the Diagnostics Development Hub hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Temasek Foundation; Sheares Healthcare Group; Changi General Hospital; DSO National Laboratories; and Woodlands Health Campus.

The tests conducted on DTS specimens were able to accurately identify all the known positive cases in the clinical studies.

The test kit will be administered at a new COVID-19 testing lab that will open in Changi Airport in 2021.