Easier, faster COVID rapid testing introduced in Mangaluru


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 15: The antigen test, also known as COVID rapid testing, which is already in vogue in different parts of the country to obtain tests results faster, has become operational in Dakshina Kannada district. With the introduction of this system, coronavirus tests will henceforth become easier and results would be faster.

The district has already received about 3,500 antigen test kits. This test is being conducted at the district Wenlock COVID Hospital. Currently, this test is conducted only in one shift.

The current method of laboratory tests needs not less than two days to obtain the result. In the case of antigen tests, reports are provided in a matter of 15 to 20 minutes. District in-charge health officer Dr Ratnakar, said that for the time being, this method will be put to preferential use on people who came from foreign countries and currently quarantined in hotels, and those who are in intensive care units or those needing emergency surgeries and therefore need urgent results.

Currently, COVID lab tests are conducted in three shifts at the district COVID Hospital and also in private hospitals like KMC, Yenepoya, and KSHEMA Hospital at Deralakatte.

The COVID antigen tests are conducted by placing the throat swab sample in the solution that forms part of the kit. If coronavirus is present in the swab, it becomes impotent. Then a few drops of the solution are put on the testing strip. These strips have artificial antibodies. If coronavirus is present, in about 15 minute’s time, the kit displays red lines. If the red lines do not appear, then the result is taken as negative. If the result is negative in respect of people displaying symptoms of the disease, then they have to undergo normal lab test.

Antigen tests enable faster results. Even though currently these tests will be confined to certain people based on preferences, in course of time, this test will be performed on everyone, Dr Ratnakar stated. 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Wed, Jul 15 2020

    Dear Monty,
    Since COVID19 is an absolute new variant of SARS virus, everything on it is experimental, daily new research reports are pouring in; so, in view of that it's 100% desirable we lessen our testing to only those who are clear cut candidates & deserve further intervention of ventilator etc. & treat the remaining symptomatically!

    IMHO, COVID19 is an airborne virus & it's not going to spare anybody unless/otherwise one is staying in a sterile capsule, but for how many months?? h

    Read the news below & let any super expert comment on the "play of viruses" !!!


    "Renowned Indian-Origin Virologist Gita Ramjee Dies Of COVID-19 In South Africa
    Ramjee, a stellar vaccine scientist and an HIV prevention research leader, had returned from London a week ago but reportedly showed no symptoms of COVID-19."

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Monty Dotor, Mangalore

    Thu, Jul 16 2020

    I would agree that only patients with comorbidities should be tested.RT- PCR is the gold standard for Corona ,but even this is only 90 % accurate, so MRI/CT or at least X-ray chest should be done along with clinical examination, mainly auscultation of chest .Clinical examination is a forgotten art (science) today, it is done for show purpose only ,a sthehoscope is placed on the chest for few seconds,not even a full inspiration/expiration cycle is heard.Covid or no Covid how many times have you seen a doctor auscultate the apices and middle and lower lung fields on the back, front and side of the chest?.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivian dsouza, Coove post Via Magundi Chickmagaluru

    Wed, Jul 15 2020

    We need hundred percent reliable test There should not be any scope forhuman errors and technical errors,In Mudigere because of a technical error more than seven hundred people were taken to quarantine There should be scrutiny for each and every test at least more than three people
    Vivian Coove

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Wed, Jul 15 2020

    We don't trust Made in China ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Monty Dotor, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 15 2020

    ICMR and AIIMS have said that the antigen test is reliable in only 50% of the cases.
    Initially, Aishwarya Bachchan and her daughter Aaradhya tested negative for Coronavirus in a rapid antigen test. But when their swab samples were sent for the RT-PCR test, they tested positive. So RT-PCR is the only reliable test(90%reliable)

    DisAgree [2] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nandakumar K, Manipal

    Wed, Jul 15 2020

    I would like to add that antigen testing is a more effective tool in checking how many people have been infected by Covid-19 and acquired immunity rather than a confirmatory tool for the presence of Covid-19. RT-PCR testing is currently the only reliable and accurate method available.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse


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