Covid 19 Test To be Easier & Faster: Antigen Rapid Testing Introduced In Dakshina Kannada

Covid 19 Test To be Easier & Faster: Antigen Rapid Testing Introduced In Dakshina Kannada

July 16: The antigen test or COVID rapid testing, which will help to obtain tests results faster has become operational in Dakshina Kannada district. Due to this, conducting coronavirus tests is easier & the results will be faster. The Dakshina Kannada district has received about 3,500 antigen test kits which is being conducted at the district Wenlock COVID Hospital.
The current method of laboratory tests needs not less than two days to obtain the test result whereas in case of antigen tests, reports are provided within 15 to 20 minutes.
Under COVID antigen tests, the throat swab sample are placed 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. If the result is positive, in about 15 minute’s time, the kit displays red lines and if no red lines 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.
District in-charge health officer Dr Ratnakar, said that currently, this method will be used on people who came from foreign countries and are quarantined in hotels, and also on those who are in intensive care units or those needing emergency surgeries and therefore need urgent results but in course of time, this test will be performed on everyone.