Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced the launch of a rapid environmental test to help in the fight against COVID-19. The Renvo Rapid PCR Test is the latest addition to the company’s in-air pathogen surveillance product portfolio, performed on air samples collected using the company’s AerosolSense Sampler.
The test is designed for environmental surveillance only, rather than diagnostic purposes, in communal locations such as schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, government buildings and other public areas. Neither specialised training nor sending samples to a lab for analysis are required with the system.
Proprietary Oscar PCR technology is used to shorten thermocycling times and produce on-site SARS-CoV-2 air sample results in 30 minutes, compared with the four to 24 hour testing turnaround time previously available using the AerosolSense Sampler testing service. This response time enables quicker decision making and strengthening of risk mitigation strategies.
“As the world learns to live with COVID-19 and adapts to the rapidly changing dynamics of new variants, there is a clear need for heightened surveillance and testing of indoor air quality,” said Siqi Tan, VP and General Manager of environmental and process monitoring at Thermo Fisher.
“For facilities that already have our AerosolSense Samplers, the Renvo Rapid PCR Test can be used as an accessory to strengthen their testing processes. The powerful combination of the AerosolSense Sampler and the Renvo Rapid PCR Test offers fast, highly accurate environmental surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 for greater peace of mind.”
