Jordan will start conducting a new coronavirus test within two weeks, which differentiates between COVID-19 and the seasonal flu, announced the head of the coronavirus portfolio Wael Al Hayajneh Friday.

The cost of the test will be approximately JD10 and results will come out within 15 minutes. He said the accuracy of the new test is similar to the internationally approved (PCR) test.

This will enable Jordan to conduct more than 20 thousand tests per day. The priority right now is to trace and follow up on direct contacts of COVID-19 patients, to prevent further spreading of the virus.

The Minister of Health Nathir Obeidat had previously said that the new test will enable doctors to test patients suspected of having coronavirus but will not be relied on as the main method of testing.