Over 7,000 tests using Rapid Antigen methodology conducted on first day in Delhi: ICMR

A day after COVID-19 tests using Rapid Antigen methodology commenced in national capital, ICMR on Friday said over 7,000 test were conducted on first day.

In a statement, ICMR said it has facilitated and approved rapid-antigen test for COVID-19 that gives results in 30 minutes in order to fast track reliable and affordable testing essentially in high containment areas.

Rapid antigen testing was launched in Delhi and on first day, over 7,000 tests were conducted, it said.

Following Union Home Ministry instructions, both government and private labs were involved in conducting tests on a large scale, ICMR said.

Out of over 7,000 tests performed in Delhi, 450 were found positive, said statement.

All those who tested negative but have symptoms would be re-tested by RT-PCR, gold standard test, it said.

"ICMR expects availability of over 71 lakh Rapid Antigen test kits in next 10 days kickstarting production in a big way," it said.

"ICMR handheld and provided support in improving performance of kit. It is proving to be of great help in testing as it is easy to perform testing, doesn't require molecular virology laboratory infrastructure," it said.

Using se kits, ICMR said testing can be done at any place by setting camps. This fastens testing and many more people can be tested in much less time.

Rapid Antigen test is being conducted by both government and private labs in Delhi ensuring that one is left behind and camps have been set up all across national capital for conducting this test, it said.

"This strategy would ensure robust control of COVID-19 in high burden states," ICMR said.

"Test could be used as a point of care diagstic assay for testing in hotspots/ containment zones and healthcare settings in combination with gold standard RT-PCR test," it said.

It will also help in allaying anxiety and fear of healthcare workers and aid in better clinical manment of patients, it said.

Developed and manufactured in India, test was independently validated by ICMR and AIIMS, New Delhi, it said.

Im Credits: PTI