New technology to rapidly detect new COVID mutations indicating whether positive test samples contain known variants is being trialled by the Government in NHS Test and Trace laboratories.
The technology – known as ‘genotype assay testing’ – is set to halve the time it currently takes to identify if a positive COVID-19 sample contains a variant of concern, and could be used in addition to standard testing for COVID-19 to identify cases quickly.
This new technology will mean that cases of variants of concern are detected faster than before – potentially halving the time it takes to detect a case, which is currently around 4 to 5 days for genomic sequencing. By notifying those affected more quickly, this could allow contacts of positive cases to be traced sooner, breaking the chains of transmission, stop the spread of variants and saving lives.
Surge testing, which involves increased testing and advanced contact tracing, and sequencing has been successfully deployed in a number of targeted locations to help suppress, control and better understand variants of concern. This is in addition to the existing extensive testing capacity NHS Test and Trace has in place.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Innovation is at the heart of our fight against COVID-19 and has a key part to play in controlling the spread of the virus. We must not stand still if we are to beat COVID-19 and safely ease restrictions in the coming months.
"That is why our goal is to eventually test every COVID positive sample for mutations, that indicate known variants, using this ground breaking new technology. This type of testing will help us rapidly identify variant cases and trace contacts quicker than ever before, helping stop outbreaks in their tracks and ensuring we can continue to follow the roadmap we have set out to get back to normal life.
Health Minister Lord Bethell said: "The progress made so far developing these new genotype assays is very encouraging and I am confident we will see positive outcomes from piloting this technology. Using this test to identify known variant of concern cases has the potential to accelerate our knowledge and understanding of variants of concern and halt their spread across the country."
