Anal COVID-19 swabs — why is China doing them? Immigration, baggage, customs, rectal probe — according to reports from diplomats and foreigners visiting China, this is the uncomfortable sequence of events that has greeted some of them upon arrival. But what is the logic behind using anal swabs as a COVID-19 diagnostic tool? And do they have any advantages over the mouth and nose swabs we've all gotten used to? Listen to audio 08:50 Share