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Qatar can be termed as one of the few countries that have made major strides when it comes to fighting novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since the pandemic began. Besides being one of the countries with the lowest COVID-19 mortality rate in the world and having the best medical facilities to fight the pandemic, Qatar launched a new saliva-based COVID-19 test this September.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced that Qatar is one of the first countries in the world to begin the new saliva-based COVID-19 test for all children who require a COVID-19 test.
The test is less intrusive for children as it does not require a swab to be inserted into the nose and back of the throat like the current standard swab test.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Chairperson of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Dr Einas Al Kuwari said, “The Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the Gold Standard in Diagnostic Testing of COVID-19 and is now available in an easier sampling method of COVID-19. The test can now be done by collecting a sample of person’s saliva after spitting. This new method is very easy and highly accurate and is suitable for children.”
According to her the test does not cause any pain or fear among children. “Therefore we encourage all parents not to hesitate to have their
children undergo the PCR test to ensure they don’t have the virus. As for adults we will continue to collect nasal and throat swabs as usual.”
Saliva tests can be easily completed by transferring saliva from the mouth into a sample pot.
Studies around the world have been looking at the use of saliva only swabs and the results have confirmed their effectiveness.
MoPH has also recently introduced the saliva-based COVID-19 tests for children as part of a national testing programme to gain a better understanding of infection rates.
MoPH will work in collaboration with HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation to carry out tests for all students in both government and private schools in Qatar. Parental consent will be sought prior to any child being tested.
PHCC Managing Director Dr Mariam Abdul Malik said, “We are pleased to be utilising the saliva-based COVID-19 test for children alongside our key partners and we will be using this method throughout our four to six-week testing programme. The standard test used to date in Qatar has been the swab test, which requires a swab to be inserted up the individual’s nose and to the back of their throat. This is very effective but some people, especially children, can find the process uncomfortable. Studies around the world have been looking at the use of saliva only swabs and the results have confirmed their effectiveness.”
MoPH Director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Dr Hamad Al Romaihi said, “Since students returned to classrooms on September 1, we have identified a small number of positive cases among children and teachers. While any new case among children is of concern, it is important that we put this into context. Out of more than 350,000 students and over 35,000 teachers in Qatar less than 0.2 percent have tested positive since schools reopened. This is a very low rate of infection among this population group.”
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced that Qatar is one of the first countries in the world to begin the new saliva-based COVID-19 test for all children who require a COVID-19 test.
The test is less intrusive for children as it does not require a swab to be inserted into the nose and back of the throat like the current standard swab test.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Chairperson of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Dr Einas Al Kuwari said, “The Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the Gold Standard in Diagnostic Testing of COVID-19 and is now available in an easier sampling method of COVID-19. The test can now be done by collecting a sample of person’s saliva after spitting. This new method is very easy and highly accurate and is suitable for children.”
According to her the test does not cause any pain or fear among children. “Therefore we encourage all parents not to hesitate to have their
children undergo the PCR test to ensure they don’t have the virus. As for adults we will continue to collect nasal and throat swabs as usual.”
Saliva tests can be easily completed by transferring saliva from the mouth into a sample pot.
Studies around the world have been looking at the use of saliva only swabs and the results have confirmed their effectiveness.
MoPH has also recently introduced the saliva-based COVID-19 tests for children as part of a national testing programme to gain a better understanding of infection rates.
MoPH will work in collaboration with HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation to carry out tests for all students in both government and private schools in Qatar. Parental consent will be sought prior to any child being tested.
PHCC Managing Director Dr Mariam Abdul Malik said, “We are pleased to be utilising the saliva-based COVID-19 test for children alongside our key partners and we will be using this method throughout our four to six-week testing programme. The standard test used to date in Qatar has been the swab test, which requires a swab to be inserted up the individual’s nose and to the back of their throat. This is very effective but some people, especially children, can find the process uncomfortable. Studies around the world have been looking at the use of saliva only swabs and the results have confirmed their effectiveness.”
MoPH Director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Dr Hamad Al Romaihi said, “Since students returned to classrooms on September 1, we have identified a small number of positive cases among children and teachers. While any new case among children is of concern, it is important that we put this into context. Out of more than 350,000 students and over 35,000 teachers in Qatar less than 0.2 percent have tested positive since schools reopened. This is a very low rate of infection among this population group.”
