A child takes an anti-Covid test.

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Vit Cerny / AP / SIPA

Specialized in agricultural research, Cirad de la Réunion has just developed a new screening test for Covid-19: the RunCov.

As

Liberation

reports

, the latter is inspired by diagnoses of plant diseases.

“However, these so-called RT-Lamp molecular methods, based on the amplification of pieces of DNA from the pathogen, also work on human viruses,” explains researcher Isabelle Robène.

🔬 Development at # LaRéunion of a new Covid test that is faster and more reliable than the RT PCR: the #RunCov.

The #Outremer at the service of the global fight against # COVID19, proof of this is by this scientific feat of Reunion.

Pride for #Outremer https://t.co/wdZAaIsFGD

- French Overseas Interministerial Delegation (@ultramarins) February 8, 2021

90% reliable

After several months of testing, the procedure is now well oiled.

As with a classic RT-PCR test, the sample is taken nasally.

The samples are then heated to 95 degrees and then placed in a small machine.

Within 10 to 30 minutes, she is able to indicate whether the test is positive or not.

A phenomenal saving in time compared to PCR tests, the results of which are only known after ten hours of treatment.

Of course, the antigen tests are also particularly fast, but up to half as reliable as the first two.

According to the CIRAD regional director, RunCov has a sensitivity of around 90%.

Tested at the airport

Another advantage of this method: its ability to put health professionals on the trail of the British variant.

Indeed, this test amplifies two pieces of the genome, the S and N zones. However, the English variant does not seem to activate the S zone. Thus, “if we have an S- and N + result, we therefore have a strong suspicion of its presence ”, relate the researchers.

Faced with such promising results, the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infections Viruses in Lyon was in favor of RunCov and the Ministry of Health has just officially included it in the list of available tests.

In the days that follow, it will be applied to the Saint-Pierre hospital.

Then, it should be practiced on the air link connecting Reunion Island to Mayotte, then on flights between Reunion Island and the metropolis.

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