UK’s Heathrow Airport trials rapid Covid-19 testing

Heathrow Airport in the UK has trialled three rapid point of care Covid-19 tests which may prevent the implementation of blanket quarantine rules and facilitate the recovery of the aviation sector. The trials were conducted on airport staff and currently, the findings are being evaluated. One of the tests, where Heathrow worked with I-Abra to trial their Virolens testing device, claims to provide the results in as little as 30 seconds. A machine learning holographic microscope, the device is designed to identify if a person is carrying the disease. In the other two tests, the airport worked with Geneme and Mologic. These two tests are expected to provide results in 30 and ten minutes, respectively. The participants were given the option to choose any of the three solutions. Also, they underwent a government-approved privately provided PCR test to enable the comparision of the two results. The results of the trials are only advisory. The initiative will also help in determining if such tests can be conducted on passengers outside of a laboratory setting. Following the evaluation, Heathrow will share the data with the government.<br/>