The use of antigen testing for COVID-19 is expected to be introduced this week, according to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony.
“We have two types that we will be introducing this week to our testing repertoire and that is one of the tests from Abbot Laboratories—those tests would take about 20 minutes to complete,” Anthony said during a COVID-19 update on Wednesday. He said that it is expected to improve turnaround times for results.
Another test that has been procured through the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) from another manufacturer is also expected to be introduced. He described it as “similar to this rapid test but from another manufacturer and that test is going to be between 20 to 30 minutes.”
Both of the tests, he noted, are fairly accurate and rapid.
Earlier this month the minister noted that they had ordered some 20,000 rapid antigen tests and they were expected soon.
During the update, he noted that officials were in discussions with the persons they bought those tests from and were expected to receive them this week as well. He reiterated that in the meantime staff has already been identified to undergo special training to be able to utilise the tests.
According to the Mayo Clinic this COVID-19 test detects certain proteins in the virus. Using a long nasal swab to get a fluid sample, antigen tests can produce results in minutes.
