Coronavirus saliva test trialled in Southampton to be expanded across south

By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Coronavirus testing capacity across the south is set to be increased as a saliva test currently trialled in Southampton will be expanded.

The saliva testing scheme aimed at increasing asymptomatic testing in the community is going to be expanded next year, it has been revealed.

The programme has so far been rolled out in some Southampton schools and at the University of Southampton.

But a report revealed that it is set be expanded across a wider area, with testing capacity expected to be increased “significantly”.

Details of what would be the third phase of the programme are still being finalised.

But a document published by Southampton City Council revealed that it will target “health and social care staff and education settings, with other settings to be agreed”.

As previously reported, the saliva test requires the individual to spit into a sample pot to be tested for current Covid-19 infection.

The city council document says the third phase of the scheme will build upon the lessons learnt by the initial two phases “but in a substantially larger geography and scale of testing”.

The report reads: “Phase two has facilitated a testing capacity of 2,000 tests per day, this phase seeks to deliver significantly more capacity.”

The scheme will be led by University Hospital Southampton (UHS).

A UHS spokesperson confirmed the news and said: “University Hospital Southampton has begun preparatory work for phase three of the COVID 19 saliva testing programme, which aims to increase asymptomatic testing in the community in a range of health and social care settings. We are working closely with partner organisations and a communications campaign and public engagement programme aimed at raising awareness and encouraging participation will begin in due course.”

According to the report, the project has recently received further funding from the government.

But the exact amount is yet to be revealed as further details have not been disclosed.

Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council, said: “Funding for a wider scale roll out of the Southampton saliva testing programme is great news for the city and indeed the wider region. We are now working closely with University Hospital Southampton and University of Southampton partners to identify the scope, scale and timings of the next phase.”