The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) medical facilities and screening centres have adopted saliva-based testing for Coronavirus for children between the age of 3 and 16 years. As per media reports, the saliva-based test will cost Dh150, the same as a PCR test in the city, following which the results will be available within 24 hours.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and DHA carried out a joint study which pointed out the diagnostic accuracy of saliva-based testing among children. In line with the results of the study, the DHA approved the 'research-driven and evidence-based decision'.

Speaking about the development, the DHA said the move will provide a more secure way of carrying out COVID-19 testing for children and prevent any inconvenience caused by nasal swab collection, noting that it can be unsettling for children.

Significantly, the research team examined both nasal swabs and saliva samples from 476 children who went for COVID-19 testing at DHA facilities. Later, these samples were tested for detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

According to the findings of the study, saliva could be used in viral detection with 98.5 per cent specificity and 87.7 per cent sensitivity. In addition, the positive predictive values for saliva tests were 92.2 per cent, while negative predictive values are 97.6 per cent. The DHA also added that according to research findings saliva is a useful diagnostic specimen for COVID-19 screening among children.

Dr Farida Al Khaja, CEO of the DHA's clinical Support Services and Nursing Sector, also confirmed that this method of testing will put children at ease.

"This joint effort highlights how research-based data can help develop public health policies to provide the highest standards of medical care," Dr Farida added.

Dr Hanan Al Suwaidi, the lead investigator of the study and assistant professor of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, MBRU, noted that the study provided a potential example of translational research that can significantly impact and guide the decision-making process of the policymakers.

"We are very proud that Dubai's efforts in fighting this pandemic have been research-driven and evidence-based," Dr Hanan added.

At the same time, it is a cost-effective method of mass testing among children amid the ongoing efforts to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

Reportedly, the study is the world's largest research carried out for saliva-based COVID-19 testing in children, approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the DHA. As of now, it has been submitted for peer-review publication.