UW-Madison debuts saliva-based tests as part of new Covid-19 response
January 17, 2021 3:25 PM
Abby Schinderle
Updated:
MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Madison wrapped up its first week of a new Covid-19 response plan that includes the use of saliva-based tests.
The plan is based off of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s SHIELD program, and will require students to be tested twice a week during the spring semester. The school will also introduce a new app, which students will use to show proof of a negative test in order to enter campus buildings.
The switch to the saliva-based tests was made because they are much more inexpensive and efficient, and could allow UW-Madison to administer nearly 10,000 tests a day. The nasal swab is easier, but the saliva test is better for mass testing, according to UW-Madison junior and Covid-19 tester Maggie Grote.