South Korea has approved a test that detects both the SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza viruses, the Associated Press reports.
It adds that the assay could help clinicians distinguish between conditions that can have similar symptoms, especially as the pandemic has now lasted into the flu season. The new test targets and amplifies genes from both SARS-CoV-2 and the flu to determine which virus is present, adding that results can be had in three to six hours. Getting a quick diagnosis "would be convenient for patients and also reduce the burden of medical workers," Yoon Taeho, a health ministry official, said during a briefing, according to the AP.
South Korea has a current COVID-19 caseload of 26,925, with 118 new cases mostly coming from the Seoul area, it adds. With colder months coming, it notes that experts expect COVID-19 to spread more as people spend more time inside.