Israel's Ministry of Health announced Monday a new COVID-19 test, which will shorten the process from eight to four hours.

This is an Israeli-developed PCR test, which integrates robotics that helps shorten the time until the results are obtained.

In current PCR tests, it takes about an hour for the sample to be transferred to another test tube, whereas in the new test a robot will transfer the sample to the next stage within five minutes.

The next steps will be shortened from about 6.5 hours in total to less than four hours. Finally, processing and deciphering the data will take about 10 seconds.

According to the ministry, the new testing system will be put into operation in hospitals and laboratories across Israel within a few weeks. Enditem