PCR is standard test for COVID-19: HMC

THE Hamad Medical Cooperation (HMC) has underlined that the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test is the standard test used to determine whether an individual is infected with COVID-19.

Chairperson of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at HMC Dr Einas Al Kuwari said, “The current gold standard test used to determine whether an individual is infected with COVID-19 is the polymerise chain reaction test. This is a highly sensitive test which is carried out using a swab from the back of the mouth and the top of the nose, and it very accurately tells us if someone is COVID-19 positive.”

“There is another test, the rapid serological test, which is carried out using a finger prick a little like a diabetes test. The results from this kind of test are very fast but less accurate than PCR test. The use of rapid serological tests must follow the clinical protocols and guidelines and should be done by clinical and trained staff. It is not recommended to be used by public.”

The polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test is a highly sensitive test which is carried out using a swab of the back of the mouth and the top of the nose, and very accurately tells us if someone is COVID-19 positive.” —Dr Einas Al Kuwari