【COVID-19】Taiwanese scientists develop 2-minute COVID-19 test kit
Source：Service Industry Promotion Center
From：Service Industry Promotion Section 1
Update Time：2020/09/14
A team of researchers from National Tsing Hua University, headed by Professor Cheng Chao-min, has developed a new COVID-19 test kit that can provide results within 2 minutes.
The test kit was developed in collaboration with the Tri-Service General Hospital, and the prototype is under clinical validations at various medical centers. The team has also filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
According to Professor Cheng, patients with severe COVID-19 infections have significantly higher levels of Serum Interleukin (IL-6) compared to mild COVID-19 cases. Therefore, measurement of IL-6 level in serum can quickly determine patients who are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms who may require immediate treatment.
Professor Cheng expects the test could make a major contribution to worldwide efforts to curb coronavirus pandemic.
written by : Amber Feng