Are you still infectious? New tests developed at Exeter Uni to help keyworkers back to work after COVID-19

A new test is being developed at the University of Exeter which could detect whether people who have had coronavirus are still infectious.

Scientists are creating a test to detect how much active virus an infectedperson is harbouring - known as viral load.

Unlike current tests, which do not separately measure the non-infectious andthe active parts of the virus, the team is refining a test which could tellusers not only whether they are carrying active virus, but also how much.

This could help healthcare workers and others know when they are safe to return to work.

Professor Lorna Harries, who is developing the test, said: "Currently, people with Covid-19 can recover completely, yet still test positive.

"That's because the tests detect any genetic material left over by the virusafter it is inactivated by the immune system.

"If successful, this new test will specifically look for active virus, andtell us how much of it is present.

"It would be incredibly useful in helping people safely to return to frontlineduties, or patients return to care homes."

The test will analyse the genetic material sub-genomic RNA, which is only present if the virus is active and the patient is potentially infectious.

The virus appears to pose a greater threat to people who are regularly exposed, such as frontline healthcare workers.

In future, researchers hope to develop a mathematical model to combine with the test to be able to develop a more personalised approach to predicting which patients are at risk of complications from coronavirus.

The calculation will be based on factors such as their age and healthhistories, combined with the concentration of virus in their bodies.

The research is being carried out at the University of Exeter and has beenawarded a £52,000 grant from Animal Free Research UK.