Halifax research project finds combined throat and nose swab more effective at detecting COVID-19 Omicron variant
A research project out of Halifax could change how we conduct COVID-19 rapid testing.
"We have shown that combined throat and nose does increase your ability to detect Omicron,” said Dr. Todd Hatchette, chief of microbiology with Nova Scotia Health.
Hatchette said researchers found using a single swab to swab your throat and then both nostrils is more effective at detecting Omicron than doing either site alone.
"When we tested just over 1,500 people, we found that either the nose or the throat both detected about 60 per cent of people but if you did a combined nose and throat, it detected over 82 per cent of people,” said Hatchette.
The research started about a week ago. Hatchette said officials at the microbiology lab worked with volunteers to collect the data from a testing site at the Halifax Convention Centre.
"That infrastructure has been unbelievable and without that infrastructure we wouldn't have been able to do this project so quickly and as far as we know, it's the first one of its kind in Canada,” said Hatchette.
One of the reasons behind the project was to see how accurate rapid antigen tests are.
"There's lots of anecdotal evidence that's been on social media and conventional media about the need to do a throat swab, either alone or in combination with the nose, and that goes against the manufactures recommendation. So, before you do something like that you want to prove whether or not it works and that was the reason why we did this project,” said Hatchette.
The findings from the research project have been passed along and changes to the way rapid tests are done in Nova Scotia could be coming.
"We've discussed it at the provincial level and we're in the process of making changes to our recommendations that a combined throat and bilateral nose swab is an acceptable option to increase your ability to detect Omicron,” said Hatchette.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.