FDA Issues First EUA For Saliva-Based COVID-19 Test Without Swabs

FDA gave its first emergency authorization for a saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic test that does not require any special swab or collection device on Saturday (Aug. 15) in the hopes of increasing testing capacity and reducing the current strain on testing equipment. In addition, the new test, unlike other saliva diagnostic tests, does not utilize a separate step for nucleic acid extraction. Preforming a test without specialized materials, such as swabs and collection kits, will remove the reliance on nasopharyngeal swabs...