Japan approves safer, saliva test for COVID-19

Tokyo: Japan’s health ministry on Tuesday approved the use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coronavirus test using saliva, thought to be safer and easier to administer, to be used alongside the current tests which swab mucus from the back of the nostril.

“Both the burden on patients and samplecollecting institutions that need to protect staff from infections will be alleviated significantly,” health minister Katsunobu Kato told a press conference.

The test kits, which will be covered by national health insurance, will be used for testing patients within nine days of exhibiting symptoms.