Czech researchers have developed a rapid COVID-19 test that produces a result in one hour

The test is important for the identification of people with COVID-19 who have no symptoms of infection.

“It has turned out that it is these individuals who may markedly spread the virus in the population,” the faculty’s dean Josef Zadražil said.

“We need to identify them and prevent the infection from spreading, first of all in collective facilities.”

Immunology Institute head Milan Raska said the test has no ambition to fully replace diagnostic proof of the virus, but can help find symptomless persons with an acute COVID-19 infection.

The cost of one test will be from 100 to 500 crowns.

The rapid tests may be used, for example, at big culture, sport and social events, and there may also be mobile laboratories.

Eva Kriegova, who heads the team that developed the test, told CTK that the rapid tests could help limit the current restrictions.

She said this is a screening solution for a big group of people whose members want to know whether they are positive but do not want to pay more than 2,000 crowns on the test.

Her team tried the tests on dozens of volunteers, discovered cases of symptomless infection, and recommended diagnostic examinations in these cases.

The rapid test was developed in cooperation with a commercial partner who is able to produce thousands of tests.