Researchers claim new COVID-19 test CoVarScan can identify all variants in hours

Research conducted by scientists at University of Texas shows that CoVarScan is as accurate as other methods used to diagnose COVID-19, and can differentiate between all current variants of SARS-CoV-2

Scientists in the U. S. have developed a rapid COVID-19 test that can accurately detect all current variants of SARS-CoV-2 within hours. The test, CoVarScan, detects the signatures of eight hotspots on the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

The researchers at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in the US tested CoVarScan on samples collected from more than 4,000 patients.

The research, published recently in the journal Clinical Chemistry, shows that the test is as accurate as other methods used to diagnose COVID-19, and can successfully differentiate between all current variants of SARS-CoV-2.

"Using this test, we can determine very quickly what variants are in the community and if a new variant is emerging,” said Jeffrey SoRelle, an assistant professor at UT Southwestern, and senior author of the study.

"It also has implications for individual patients when we are dealing with variants that respond differently to treatments," Dr. SoRelle said.

While a number of other tests for COVID-19 exist, they generally detect either a fragment of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material or small molecules found on the surface of the virus, and don't provide information to identify the variant.

In addition, many researchers worry that these tests are not accurate in detecting some variants, or may miss future strains.