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  • 2021-01-27 (xsd:date)
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  • Is China Using Anal Swabs to Test for COVID-19? (en)
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  • In January 2021, social media users were a bit surprised to see reports circulating that health officials in China had started using anal swabs to test for COVID-19: Generally speaking, this is true. Chinese state media outlets have reported that anal swabs have been used to test for COVID-19. It should be noted, however, that these tests are only being used in specific situations, and that throat and nasal swabs are still the preferred method. The Washington Post reported: Tongzeng said that anal swabs can increase the detection rate of infected people as traces of COVID-19 remain longer in fecal matter than in the respiratory tract. Still, this method is only being used in certain situations, and primarily with people who are already under quarantine. Reuters writes: While anal swabs may help detect COVID-19, there's still no evidence that the disease can be spread via fecal matter. Yang Zhanqiu, a pathologist at Wuhan University, told the Global Times: There have been cases concerning the coronavirus testing positive in a patient’s excrement, but no evidence has suggested it had been transmitted through one’s digestive system. (en)
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