China using anal swabs to detect COVID-19

China Is Now Using Anal Swabs to Test for COVID in High-Risk Groups

According to Bloomberg and the Washington Post, who cited local outlets, China is using anal swabs as a means of COVID-19 testing for patients considered to be high-risk. The country is also continuing to use throat and nose swabs.

The anal swabs method “can increase the detection rate of infected people” as traces of the virus linger longer in the anus than in the respiratory tract, Li Tongzeng, a senior doctor from Beijing’s Youan hospital, told CCTV.