A tweet claims that the user got a COVID-19 test through an anal swab.
Introduction
COVID-19 cases continue to soar worldwide as countries such as the UK go back into lockdown after registering a record number of deaths on Tuesday, January 27. This comes in the midst of scientists discovering new strains of the virus in some countries, with some worried as to whether the current vaccines will keep up with the mutations. A number of different tests are being administered worldwide to detect the disease such as antibody tests and antigen tests. The most popular swabbing method so far has been the nasal or throat swab.
Verification
According to Aljazeera, some Chinese cities are using samples taken from the anus to detect potential COVID-19 infections. The process involves inserting a cotton swab that is 3-5 centimeters into the anus and gently rotating. The Aljazeera article quotes a report by a Chinese state-backed newspaper, the Global Times, which stated that, “such swabs could be useful in helping minimise the risk of a relapse after recovery”. Another article published on Pubmed shows that patients may continue to test positive after an anal swab even after testing negative after a nasal swab test.
The Guardian further explains that China is using the tests on those that it considers to be at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Li Tongzeng, a senior doctor from Beijing’s Youan hospital is quoted telling CCTV that the anal swab “can increase the detection rate of infected people”. This is because traces of the virus live longer in the anus than in the respiratory tract.
Verdict
The claim that there is an anal swab method of collecting specimen to test for COVID-19 is therefore TRUE.
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