Health Canada approves saliva-based COVID-19 test that can be done at home

Health Canada has approved a new, saliva-based COVID-19 test that users can take from the comfort of their homes.

The test, manufactured by P23 Labs, is the first of its kind that has been approved by Health Canada—it allows users to self-collect an oral fluid sample at home with or without support from a clinician via telemedicine (it can also be taken in an assisted living setting, or at a doctor’s office).

“P23 Labs was founded to remove healthcare barriers and serve the underserved. The availability of non-invasive at-home COVID-19 testing in Canada was extremely sparse, with no saliva specimen collection devices for specific SARS-CoV-2 assays approved,” Tre’Na Weeks, COO for P23 Labs, said in a news release.

“We are extremely excited to be able to provide Canada with a test that not only reduces the risk of spread of COVID-19 by keeping patients at home while they test, but a test that is easy to use, affordable, and convenient. Saliva testing for COVID-19 leads the way to early detection, yields accurate results, and fosters a pain-free test collection method,” Weeks continued.