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The test to detect covid-19 in its active phase using saliva developed by the Mendelics laboratory in partnership with the Sírio-Libanês Hospital, reached more than 300 pharmacies in the capital and in the cities of Guarulhos, Osasco and Barueri. To avoid crowds, the exam can be scheduled over the phone and the result is ready in 24 hours. It is also available in Rio, where the result comes out in 48 hours.
“This is a test with a more affordable value than RT-PCR, but it is equivalent to it, with 100% specificity and 80% sensitivity,” says David Schlesinger, CEO of healthtech meuDNA and Mendelics. RT-PCR, considered the gold standard for detecting infections, is more invasive and can cost R $ 470.
Initially offered in hospitals and companies, the Covid meuDNA can also be done at home for R $ 169. In the pharmacies of the Droga Raia and Drogasil chains, it costs R $ 150.
According to Schlesinger, more than 300,000 people have already been tested, and between the second half of November and the first two weeks of December, the number of positive cases increased fivefold.
The saliva test uses the PCR-Lamp method (an acronym for Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification), which identifies the virus RNA in the cells of the person with the virus.
In case of contact with an infected person or risk situation, such as being without a mask in a crowded place, Schlesinger recommends testing after contact and repeating after five days, in addition to isolating yourself.
“Those who are at high risk of infection have a two-week window to remain at risk. If you have had contact with a person with the virus or have been indoors, you should also be isolated for a period of 14 days. If you have symptoms , you must be tested and, if it is positive, you must notify anyone who has contacted the person in the last 48 hours. “
The CEO of Mendelics explains that those interested should make the appointment by phone, go at the scheduled time, make a record and spit into the bottle, which will be labeled and sent to the laboratory. In 24 hours, the result will be forwarded to the registered email or by SMS.
In Rio, there are 14 pharmacies in the chains that carry out the test in the neighborhoods of Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamengo and Leblon. If done before 6 pm, the result will be ready in 48 hours.
“If it takes a week to get the result, people have already transmitted the virus and the chain cannot be interrupted. The test is essential to provide greater security for everyone, but it is important to note that the two main measures have not been pile up, especially indoors, and wear a mask. “
RD CEO – Merger between Droga Raia and Drogasil, Marcilio D’Amico Pousada says that the two chains have 2,300 stores in 23 states. The test is offered in more than 300 units in São Paulo, Guarulhos, Osasco and Barueri. The goal is to expand.
“The plan is to be able to expand, have more stores and better serve the consumer.”
USP launched saliva test in December
On December 1, the University of São Paulo (USP) began offering a test that identifies the coronavirus by saliva. Created by the Center for the Study of the Human Genome and Stem Cells of the Institute of Biosciences, in association with the Institute of Chemistry, the RT-Lamp test detects cases of covid-19 in 24 hours. In the initial phase, it will be available only in the city of São Paulo for 90 people per day, between face-to-face visits and whoever requests the kit to do the test at home.
The price is R $ 90 for face-to-face collection and R $ 150 for receiving the self-collection kit. Programming can be done on the website: www.genomacovid19.ib.usp.br and the result is ready in 24 hours.
Saliva tests have been developed in other countries, such as the United States. As of August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US food and drug regulatory agency, had already authorized the development of five tests that used saliva as a test sample.
Service
Pharmacies Drogasil and Droga Raia
Telephone programming: (11) 3004-8007 – option 7 (Drugsil) and (11) 3003-7242 – option 6 (Drugs Raia)
Price: R $ 150
Available in more than 300 units in São Paulo, Guarulhos, Osasco, Barueri and Rio
Home collection
Programming via website: https://meudna.com/teste-covid
Price: R $ 169
Available in São Paulo, Santo André, São Bernardo, São Caetano, Diadema, Osasco and Guarulhos
USP
Programming can be done at: www.genomacovid19.ib.usp.br
Values: R $ 90 for face-to-face collection and R $ 150 for receiving the self-collection kit
