RIVM, GGDs and microbiological laboratories are working on new forms of testing for the coronavirus. That reports it NRC Handelsblad Saturday.
With the new tests, the services are preparing for a possible second wave of corona infections in the autumn. Since June 1, anyone with corona-like complaints can be tested. In total, thirty thousand tests can be taken every day. However, work is being done behind the scenes to further expand capacity. One of the innovations that will already be used in August is a saliva test. This test is only for children aged six years and under. The saliva test is an alternative to sampling with cotton swabs that have to go deep into the nose and throat.
Another adjustment that is made is the mass testing of samples in laboratories. In the mass tests, samples from different people are combined so that they can be tested in one go. If the virus is found in such a group sample, the individual samples are tested to find out who of the group is infected. This way of testing is more efficient because less laboratory materials have to be used.
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