An inexpensive and effective saliva-based COVID-19 test called covidSHIELD was approved by the FDA March 1, 2021. University of Illinois researchers developed and used covidSHIELD at its three campuses beginning in fall 2020, and have taken more than 1.5 million samples to date, according to the Chicago Tribune.
University officials reported that the test is capable of detecting very small amounts of genetic material, including mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that originated in other countries. It also costs less than other tests. Shield Illinois, a university-affiliated organization, says it will sell the tests for $20 to public school districts and public universities, $25 to private universities and $30 to companies.
Illinois Gov. Jay Robert “J.B.” Pritzker allocated $20 million in federal relief funding to purchase 1 million tests, saying he plans to distribute them to nine other Illinois public universities, as well as 48 community colleges.
SOURCE: Chicago Tribune March 1, 2021