Do Covid-19 tests detect new strains of Coronavirus?

Yes. The saliva-based Covid-19 test and the Oronasal swab targets genomic regions of the virus that are present across all common SARS-CoV-2 variants we know of, anywhere in the world, including the mutated strains detected in the UK, South Africa and South America. We regularly check this in line with MHRA requirements to ensure any new strains aren’t missed.