Scientists at Yale University are teaming up with the NBA to explore a new method of testing for COVID-19.
They’re developing a test called SalivaDirect. It uses saliva for testing – non-invasive compared to swab-based methods. Yale says it’ll be faster and cheaper.
Nathan Grubaugh, one of the researchers, says they’ll run tests on NBA players side-by-side with the traditional swab method.
“The NBA is this population that can’t necessarily be socially distancing and wearing masks all the time, by nature of their jobs. So to provide safety, they’re doing routine testing in hopes you find cases before they’re able to transmit to people.”
Yale isn’t manufacturing the product themselves and won’t put it in the hands of any single company – that’s so prices can be kept low and the test can be made available to more people.
