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Coronavirus

Shimadzu to use saliva for coronavirus testing

Non-invasive alternative poses less risk of passing virus to medical staff

Shimadzu applied the technology to detect norovirus for the coronavirus test kit. (Photo courtesy of Shimadzu) 

KYOTO -- Japanese precision instrument maker Shimadzu will add saliva to the sample of PCR reagents to test for the new coronavirus, after the company confirmed it is as accurate as conventional methods.

Japan's Ministry of Health plans to allow tests using saliva this month. The non-invasive procedure is simple and poses less risk of passing secondary infections. The company will expand its reagent supply and prepare for a possible second wave of infections.

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