Alpha PH launches first Saliva Rapid Test for Covid-19 in NI

The new test offers a rapid, easy to use and affordable testing solution and the company expects to fulfil more than 20,000 orders before Easter, based on current demand for rapid Covid-19 testing solutions.

The IRIS SARS-CoV-2 Ag Saliva Rapid Test is designed to deliver accurate, reliable test results within 15 minutes, based on the provision of a small saliva sample. From the saliva sample, the IRIS Saliva Rapid Test can detect the virus that causes Covid-19, and is clinically more accurate at detecting the virus than a nasal swab test, offering a 99.5% rate of clinical accuracy.

Providing a unique and easy to use alternative to nasal swab testing, the Saliva Rapid Test for Covid-19 is user-friendly and can be self-administered. The nature of the test makes it ideal for on-the-spot testing and offers an affordable and scalable solution for mass testing.

Alpha PH Director, Kevin Sweeney, said: “The Saliva Rapid Test from Alpha PH is a ground-breaking development in current Covid-19 testing in Northern Ireland. Offering a minimally invasive testing alternative to nasal swab tests, while delivering even more accurate results, the Saliva Rapid Test is easy to implement.

“An accurate, affordable, rapid testing solution, the Saliva Rapid Test will have a key role to play in the safe re-opening of our society and workplaces.

“As we move forward, continued Covid-19 testing will play a crucial role in detecting and containing the virus within society, limiting further spreading of the virus as the Covid-19 vaccination programme continues to roll out to the wider public.

“The IRIS Saliva Rapid Test can significantly help to prevent the spread of Covid-19 by quickly and accurately diagnosing both symptomatic and asymptomatic people within a 15-minute frame. With its ease of use, performance and price point, it’s a game-changer when it comes to Covid-19 testing, providing an ideal testing solution that can help to get the economy back to normal, by ensuring safety and peace of mind for individuals, customers and workforces across the country.”

The Saliva Rapid Test from Alpha PH is conducted without the need for laboratory analysis, returning results in just 15 minutes. Accuracy is paramount and the IRIS SARS-CoV-2 Ag Saliva Rapid Test has been proven to deliver 99.9% specificity and sensitivity of more than 98.26%, with 99.5% clinical accuracy in testing.

The IRIS SARS-CoV-2 Ag Saliva Rapid Test from Alpha PH is the latest rapid Covid-19 test to be made available from the company which previously launched the first rapid swab test kit for Covid-19 in NI in partnership with European bio-technology company, Alpha Pharma.

Since its launch in September 2020, 53,000 units of the rapid swab Covid-19 test have since been sold to companies, sporting organisations, healthcare facilities and individuals, with orders being received from across Northern Ireland, Ireland and further afield.

The IRIS SARS-CoV-2 Ag Saliva Rapid Test for Covid-19 is available now at www.alphatestkits.com.

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