Now, govt okays antigen tests

KOTA: Taking a U-turn, Rajasthan government has now given approval for conducting rapid antigen test to detect Covid-19 patients.

Principal secretary, health, Akhil Arora has issued orders in this regard.

Last year, the government had criticised and discontinued the use of rapid antigen test in Rajasthan citing problems in accuracy rate.

Education health secretary, Vaibhav Galriya said that the accuracy of rapid antigen test was 50% last year, but now it has increased up to nearly 80-90% due to improvement in quality. “We have invited rapid antigen kits of several companies whose accuracy was tested in laboratory,” he said.

“Due to the spread of Covid-19 in rural areas, rapid antigen test will play crucial role since RT-PCR tests take time. Rapid antigen will help in quick identification of Covid-19 patient in rural areas,” he said.

Rajasthan has ordered 200,000 rapid antigen kits, whose delivery started from Wednesday and tests will begin from Thursday.

“Although as per the Government of India guidelines, maximum 30% Covid-19 testing can be done through rapid antigen tests, while 70% tests will be done through RT-PCR of the total Covid-19 testing,” Galriya said.

“If any asymptomatic patient tests negative in rapid antigen test, he would be considered negative for Covid-19, but if any asymptomatic or symptomatic patient tests positive in rapid antigen test, his RT-PCR tests will be done for confirmation,” he said.

The rapid antigen tests will be conducted at community health centres (CHC) and above health centres and not at primary health centres, he said.