Saudi Researchers Develop Diagnostic Test For COVID-19

A group of Saudi researchers in Riyadh has developed a diagnostic test to detect coronavirus infection, state news agency SPA reported.

The researchers work at the Research Center of King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH).

The test developed is based on analysing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the COVID-19 virus.

It has been approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (FDA).

PCR tests detect the genetic material of viruses and are the go-to for testing influenza infection, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Read Also: Fresh, Strange Facts About Coronavirus

The CEO of the Research Center at KFSH, Dr. Ali al-Zahrani, said that the centre has the equipment to produce “primers”.

Primers are short, single-stranded DNA sequences used in the PCR technique.

He also said the hospital and research centre are ready to produce primers for the diagnostic test for use in local laboratories.

AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK

𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤, is a nonpartisan online news portal founded on the truth to provide you with weekly, insightful articles written with precision and current updates on current events from Africa in particular and the rest of the world in general. All of our reports undergo extensive fact-checking to ensure their veracity, and we adhere strictly to the facts, no matter whose ox is gored.