Covid-19: a self-sampling method, which detects the variant, lands in Europe

What if we could get tested for covid-19 without cluttering up the labs?

This is the solution that the French analysis group Eurofins Scientific has already been offering in the United States for several weeks, which has just announced the arrival of its sampling kits in Europe.

The principle is simple: a self-sampling is therefore carried out at home using a "non-invasive method", which is then collected by the company which claims to give the results of the analyzes in less than 24 hours.

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"To make samples easier for non-healthcare professionals, and in particular to test children, Eurofins has validated a sampling method based on gargling a sterile solution", with a view to a PCR test, details the company in a press release.

This method, marketed in the United States since October 19 under the name “EmpowerDX kit”, allows patients to be tested without being constrained by the testing capacities of medical structures.

British variant is detected

It is already possible to order this kit on the internet in Germany and Spain, “Eurofins will apply for regulatory authorizations to market similar tests in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden , and other countries, ”the statement said.

The group ensures that these tests detect the variation of the virus observed in the United Kingdom and claims to give access to part of its sequencing capacities to European national health authorities which would not yet be able to identify the variation of the virus within positive tests.

This would allow them to assess the local presence of this new strain.

Eurofins, which has a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods in pharmaceutical, food and environmental analysis services, employs over 50,000 people in 50 countries and operates more than 800 laboratories.