The SalivaDirect COVID-19 tests are “cheaper, faster and simpler” than other tests
The highly sensitive tests boast a 99.9% accuracy, the gold standard of testing, and the results are available electronically in 24 to 48 hours.
Furthermore, its noninvasive nature is much more comfortable than the nasal swab.
Yale School of Public Health
Isabella Backman
January 28, 2022
The SalivaDirect Initiative of the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) and Yale Pathology Labs have joined forces with the Connecticut Department of Public Health to run two COVID-19 testing sites in the city of New Haven.
Scientists at YSPH developed SalivaDirect, a highly effective and non-invasive test for COVID-19, in August 2020.
Now, the two mobile sites on Long Wharf and the New Haven Green will offer up to 1,000 of these tests each day free of charge for those who are symptomatic or have been recently exposed to COVID-19, effective immediately.
“In the time of surging COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant and increased demand for reliable PCR testing, I want to applaud the efforts of the SalivaDirect Initiative of Yale School of Public Health and the Yale Pathology Labs,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro during a press conference Thursday at the Long Wharf location.
“Early and frequent testing remains one of the cornerstones of a successful response to this pandemic. This is why the work here at the saliva swab testing site is so critically important.”
As of Wednesday, January 26, Connecticut’s positivity rate for COVID-19 was at 10.93%, and there were 1,346 hospitalized patients.
But even though positivity and hospitalization rates are on the decline, testing and early detection of COVID-19 remains critical due to the lingering presence of the highly-contagious Omicron variant.
The SalivaDirect COVID-19 tests are “cheaper, faster and simpler” than other tests, said Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, Yale School of Public Health dean, Anna M.R. Lauder Professor of Public Health, and professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine.
The highly sensitive tests boast a 99.9% accuracy, the gold standard of testing, and the results are available electronically in 24 to 48 hours.
Furthermore, its noninvasive nature is much more comfortable than the nasal swab.
“This is the kind of thing we want to be doing at Yale University,” said Vermund. “We want to be doing the kind of community service that makes a difference for the health of the people and our students.”
“The opportunity given to Yale Pathology Labs to provide testing services to the community is an honor and a privilege,” said Angelique Levi, MD, Yale School of Medicine associate professor of pathology and vice chair and director of pathology outreach services.
“Effective health partnerships like this one make a crucial impact on pandemic response and provide inspiration for future community-driven success.”
Both testing centers are open every day of the week except Fridays, including weekends. All tests are offered free of charge, and no insurance is required. The Long Wharf site is located at 60 Sargent Drive and is open from 8:00 am to noon. The New Haven Green location, near Elm Street between Temple and Church Streets, is open from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Appointments are not necessary to visit either location. For more information, New Haven residents can visit https://covid19.newhavenct.gov/pages/covid-19-vaccination.
Originally published at https://ysph.yale.edu.
Names cited
Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, Yale School of Public Health dean, Anna M.R. Lauder Professor of Public Health, and professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine.
Angelique Levi, MD, Yale School of Medicine associate professor of pathology and vice chair and director of pathology outreach services.
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
