Since Mar. 5, travellers who arrive in Singapore and exhibit fever or other symptoms of respiratory illness will have to undergo a swab test for Covid-19 at immigration checkpoints.

This new swab test was made in collaboration between the Home Team Science & Technology (HTX) and Veredus Laboratories.

Veredus Laboratories is a company that specialises in the development of molecular diagnostic solutions.

Can be used in hospitals

According to a media statement from HTX shared with Mothership on March 6, the test kit has obtained provisional authorisation from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

It has been deployed at the air, sea and land checkpoints.

The test kit can also be used directly by labs or hospitals to test patients for clinical diagnosis.

Completed in three hours

The entire screening process can be completed in three hours.

It also has an accuracy of more than 99 per cent and is able to identify Covid-19 with high specificity and sensitivity.

How it works

The ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the samples are first extracted in the lab.

It will then be transcribed and multiplied through a process known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

The process of PCR helps to amplify the signals of the virus (if any) so that it becomes more detectable.

The HTX Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) team works with ICA officers to collect the filters from the biosamplers twice a day and bring it back to the HTX CBRNE labs.

Currently, there are three such labs in Singapore.

However, in the event of a pandemic outbreak, the CBRNE team will increase the sample collection process from twice daily to four times a day.

In case of a positive detection of the virus, it will be reported immediately to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for follow-up actions.

Top image from Veredus Laboratories and Fasiha Nazren.