On February 11, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University announced the development of the world's most comprehensive automated multiplex diagnostic system for point-of-care genetic testing (POCT), which detected 30-40 pathogens within one hour. Including seasonal influenza viruses (such as H1, H2, and H3 influenza A), avian influenza (H5, H7, and H9), human respiratory syncytial virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (or SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and 2019 New Coronavirus.
Prof. Manson Fok, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.), participated in the research and development team. He expressed that the diagnostic system has been tested on different clinical samples, including those from COVID-19 patients, and the results are all reliable. Dr. Fok hoped that, with regard to the current outbreak of COVID-19, this technology can be produced and applied in the market as soon as possible to fill the current demand for rapid and accurate virus testing in Macao.