Saliva tests for border workers

Border workers in quarantine facilities will be offered voluntary daily Covid-19 saliva tests, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced.

The option will be introduced at the Jet Park quarantine facility in Auckland on Monday, and then at other facilities in Wellington and Christchurch.

New Zealand’s low Covid-19 numbers have meant scientists could not try out the efficacy of saliva testing or other options. The new measure is in response to higher rates of infection overseas and the more contagious variants of Covid-19.

The saliva tests would not be replacing nasal swabs, Hipkins said.

‘‘Saliva tests have a lower sensitivity than the nasopharyngeal test, so won’t replace our ongoing ‘gold standard’ diagnostic testing methods . . . They will be offered as an additional screening tool for our highest-risk border workers. The tests are less invasive.‘‘

It was hoped the saliva tests would mean any positive cases among workers at quarantine facilities would be picked up faster and workers would have another layer of assurance.

‘‘They are among the most tested people in the country and perform a critical role in keeping Covid-19 out of New Zealand communities. Their ongoing safety is a top priority,’’ Hipkins said. The role and effectiveness of saliva testing was still evolving, he said.

The Ministry of Health will report its findings about the testing in March.