New Russian test will find covid even during the incubation period

The first test system for detecting the omicron strain has been registered in Russia. It was developed by the Federal Medical and Biological Agency. Moreover, the system can see virus even in the incubation period.

The test requires swabs from the nose and mouth, although one with such sensitivity is sufficient. Experts say that even if a drop of, for example, the saliva of an infected patient falls into a large pool, the test system will see the RNA of the coronavirus. And in an hour and a half he will distinguish “delta” from “omicron” in fact in one test tube.

“We have created a unique virus typing technology based on specific probes that detect mutations characteristic of delta and omicron. Simpler methods are not suitable here. We need to identify virus mutations. And this requires special probes, we play with temperatures there. in order to be able to differentiate different mutations characteristic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, “says German Shipulin, Deputy Director of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency.

When the omicron strain appeared, 32 new mutations arose in the S-protein. This helped create the test system. FMBA specialists have chosen two mutations that are most characteristic of the omicron, and two that each infected with the delta strain has. Distinguishing these mutations, the system unmistakably determines that it is an extremely difficult “delta” or lightning-fast “omicron” for the organism.

“In a day and a half, we received orders from large state corporations, from the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Moreover, from the Far East to the European part of our country, we will provide a working turnover within 7-10 days. We will reach the basic capacity of one million tests per week. test systems is the Center for Strategic Planning of the FMBA of Russia. There is practically no ceiling, if necessary, our capacity can be increased to 2-3 million per week, “says the head of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency Veronika Skvortsova.

In the corridors of the Strategic Planning Center, next to the photograph of the team, there is a row of registration certificates. FMBA laboratories have already created a whole line of test systems for the “alpha”, “betta”, “gamma” and “delta” variants. And now there is one more passport for the test system that recognizes the “omicron”. Judging by the latest research, she is able to identify the strain even in a patient’s tear.