Covid-19 in Belgium: saliva tests at the University of Liège
Audio 01:06
To prevent the spread of Covid-19, the University of Liège is banking on saliva tests and gargling for more speed.
(AP Photo / Luca Bruno)
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
To fight against the spread of the epidemic, the University of Liège has developed a system that has never been seen before in Europe.
Tens of thousands of self-test kits have been made available to students and staff.
The university is strong because the tests are entirely developed and manufactured in Belgium.
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With our correspondent in Liège,
Jérémy Audouard
At the entrance of a university building, two volunteers distribute kits.
“
Hello!
Florian came to take a test.
“
It's made available in the building itself.
So it's still quite practical for those who work here: we don't need to travel.
"
There are 35 booths like this all over campus.
The objective: to test the 25,000 students and 5,000 employees.
Anyone can do it once a week, it's anonymous and free.
Rapid tests using gargling
At the origin of this device, Fabrice Bureau, professor of veterinary medicine.
He wanted to avoid an outbreak of contamination on campus.
“
The students, even if they are young and not very symptomatic, are still afraid of passing this on to their parents, their grandparents.
"
Great novelty: we focus on gargling for rapid and precise tests.
"
Gargagrism apparently gives better results than saliva,"
explains Fabrice Bureau.
Sensitivity rates are achieved which very closely approximate the nasopharyngeal swab.
"
Another feat: these kits are made in the Liège region.
From design to plastic funnels, including reagents, the production line is 100% local.
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See also: Covid-19 in Belgium: curfew and closure of restaurants throughout the country
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Coronavirus
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