Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

User AvatarBuild your avatar
Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

China Is Reportedly Using 'Anal Swabs' As A New Method For COVID-19 Testing

Some people are getting BOTH throat and anal swabs. 😳
COVID-19 In China: 'Anal Swabs' Have Reportedly Been Deployed As A New Method For Testing
Beethoven1612 | Dreamstime
Contributor

Anal swabbing has reportedly been introduced as a new method of testing for COVID-19 in China. 

According to the Washington Post, Li Tongzeng, an infectious-disease specialist in Beijing, spoke on a Chinese state TV broadcaster, CCTV, to discuss the approach. 

Editor's Choice: Over 30K Travellers Have Now Been Stopped At Canada's Borders Since March 2020

If we add anal swab testing, it can raise our rate of identifying infected patients. Li Tongzeng

“Considering that collecting anal swabs is not as convenient as throat swabs, at the moment only key groups such as those in quarantine receive both,” he said. 

CTV News reports that anal swabbing will be used to test individuals in the country who are considered to be at high risk for getting COVID-19. 

Apparently, this type of testing has already been used on a number of people.

These people include those who live in neighbourhoods with confirmed cases in Beijing and those who are currently in designated quarantine facilities. 

While the throat swab may be uncomfortable, this new method isn't a replacement, but an addition to existing test protocols. 

So, some lucky folks are receiving both throat and anal swabs to test for COVID-19. 

This article's cover photo is for illustrative purposes only. 

covid-19
GlobalNews

Explore this list   👀

    • Britanny Burr
      Britanny Burr was a Staff Writer at Narcity Canada, who drove growth within Narcity's Western coverage and readership. Having lived between her hometown, Canmore, Alberta and Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and NYC over the past 10 years, she is obsessed with finding the best local hot spots. She holds a B.A. in English and has over six years of professional writing experience as Head Writer and Editor for YUL.Buzz in Montreal, and Creative Copywriter at JAKT in NYC. News by day, poetry by night — the written word is Britanny's nearest and dearest.

    Minimum wage is going up across Canada soon — but one province is getting left behind

    It could mean a raise of over $1,600 a year! 💸

    This BC small town with charming streets ranked as one of Canada's 'top travel destinations'

    The perfect weekend escape awaits you here.

    This enchanting small town set on a BC island was named among North America's 'most peaceful'

    Sandy beaches, ancient forests and a cozy town — anyone?. 🌲

    Parks Canada is hiring for these high-paying jobs and you can make up to $129,000

    Some positions don't require a university degree!

    Ontario Trillium Benefit payments for September go out soon — Here's how much you can get

    More government cash is headed to Ontarians next week. 💵

    This Ontario gem with waterfront towns and beaches is one of Canada's 'best' spots to live

    It has "large" homes "priced much lower" than major Canadian cities.

    Canadians say they don't buy these grocery items anymore because prices are too expensive

    "I've cut back on everything."

    Lotto Max winning numbers for Tuesday, September 2 are out and there's a $40 million jackpot

    It's time to check your tickets!

    Canada's new $2 coin is an actual piece of art featuring blue, yellow and orange hues

    This colourful circulation coin is historic!

    Ontario's monthly fall weather forecast reveals when you can expect snow

    Bye bye summer, hello fall! 👋🍁