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.