Rapid antigen test when and how

RT PCR is too slow for effective control of spread of cov 2 infection, rapid antigen test by giving results in less than 30 minutes can help identify infected persons leading to quick isolation.Lack of sensitivity can be compensated by repeating RAT after a day or so.

1. Rapid Covid Antigen test When & how

2. Time lines of Biomarkers RT PCR Serology Rapid Ag test Day 0 3 7 14 21 Thresh hold of detection

3. Comments on Rapid Covid Ag test Studies by ICMR & AIIMS have confirmed very high specificity of the test (>99%) but sensitivity is moderate & inferior to RT PCR Test should only be performed on symptomatic patients Advantage is results are available within 30 minutes for tracing & isolating the patient, thus helping in containing spread of infection Positive results should be considered as True Positive & acted upon Data must be uploaded in real time on ICMR portal by the site performing Rapid Antigen Test. Negative results in symptomatic patients should be further investigated by performing RT PCR on a sample collected in VTM Results of RT PCR would be uploaded on ICMR portal by RT PCR performing lab.