A Northern Illinois University researcher is working on a less uncomfortable way to test for COVID-19.
The standard test for COVID-19 involves shoving a long swab deep up a patient’s nose and analyzing the resulting sample. Chemistry Professor Beth Gailliard’s method would instead have a patient gargle a bottle of water and spit it back into a tube. NIU Chief of Staff to the President Matt Streb said the test is still in development, but could make the testing process less unpleasant.
“So it’s far less invasive than the normal PCR tests that we generally think of when you take a COVID test, so we’re really excited about that project.”
Participants in the free COVID-19 testing on campus the week of the 17th will have the option of also taking this new test. The two results can then be used to help gauge the new test’s effectiveness.