THL mulls home sampling for coronavirus test

The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) is thinking about the possibility of collecting saliva samples from home for diagnosing coronavirus, reported the national broadcaster Yle quoting a THL official.

The THL is now assessing the ground of allowing people suspected to be infected with coronavirus to test samples while remaining at home.

“We are actively taking this forward, because it would be quite significant if sampling could be made easier,” THL specialist Niina Ikonen told Yle.

If the samples could be collected from home, it will help to ease the rush already created in some areas.

“We are trying everything to find solutions to make it easier to gather samples and to increase testing capacity. Home sampling could be one option,” the Yle report quoted Ikonen as saying.

The researchers are now reviewing sources to find out if there is any international experience of taking samples at home.

Ikonen has the impression that it has been attempted in Sweden and Britain.

She said not only the THL, clinical laboratories are also looking for a way to test samples at home.