Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Scientists from the School of Biotechnology and FoodTechnology under Hanoi University of Science and Technology have developed anovel coronavirus (nCoV) test kit the laboratory environment, which provides results in 70 minutes insteadof four hours like the current method.

Thegroup, with more than ten members and led by Dr Le Quang Hoa, in collaborationwith Innogenex International Technology Science Ltd Company, made the test kitusing a Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP)technique.

Theinnovation which amplifies the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of pathogens toidentify the virus has made Vietnam the first country to successfully developRT-LAMP test kits for nCoV.

Currently,it takes about four hours to get the results if doctors use the standardisedtesting method called Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR),which is applied worldwide and recommended by the World Health Organisation(WHO).

TheVietnamese scientists started to conduct studies less than one month ago, onJanuary 15, when China announced the gene characterisation of nCoV.

“Theadvantage of the new technique is that it is a simple analysis and does notrequire complicated equipment,” Hoa said.

“Itshortens the testing time and simplifies the analysis process.”

Accordingto the doctor, a test costs about 350,000 VND (15 USD). The price to produce aRT-PCR test kit is 1 million VND (44 USD).

Theproduct has not been tested on the real virus but when it has been tested onsamples, the result is accurate, Hoa said.

Becauseof its short time and simple process, the kits can be applied at district-levelhealthcare facilities.

“Wehope that the health ministry and the Ministry of Science and Technology willsupport the research team to verify the product and apply it in testing thevirus in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, HueCentral Hospital has become the first healthcare facility in the central regionto be able to test nCoV.

Earlier,the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology based in Hanoi; centres fordisease control based in Hanoi, Da Nang and Quang Ninh; Pasteur Institutes inHCM City and central Khanh Hoa province confirmed they could test the newstrain of coronavirus.

Afterlearning the technique from the Pasteur Institute in HCM City, doctors of theHue Central Hospital conducted the first test on February 9.

Thehospital has invested in more medical supplies and equipment to be able to test100 more samples in four to five days.

Accordingto hospital leaders, testing the virus at the hospital is very important to thetreatment of suspected cases. It helps identify those who test negative fornCoV, cut the number of quarantined people and reduce pressure on thehospital’s resources and infrastructure.

Thehospital will conduct the nCoV tests on those who show symptoms of acuterespiratory system inflammation, fever, coughing, shortness of breath; thosereturning from infected areas or who have had close contact with nCoV patientsor those suspected of infection.

Thecentral province so far has not recorded any nCoV infection cases. 

Vietnamhas so far confirmed 14 nCoV infection cases, nine of them are from northern VinhPhuc province. Three of the 14 patients have been discharged from hospital./.