Odisha: Persons with suspected COVID-19 symptoms to undergo antigen test from Tuesday

Bhubaneswar: With an aim to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Odisha government today decided to carry out antigen test of persons with suspected COVID-19 symptoms from Tuesday.

Health Department Additional Secretary Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra informed test reports of the antigen test will be available within two to three hours. As per the decision during a meeting at SCB Medical College and Hospital in  Cuttack, the test will be undertaken at SCB Hospital, Acharya Harihara Regional Cancer Centre, Sishu Bhawan and City Hospital in Cuttack, he added.

Till now, a total of 813 COVID-19 patients have been detected in Cuttack district. As many as 190 persons were tested COVID-19 positive in Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) area alone.

While four persons died of the virus infection in the district, 529 have recovered so far.

What is rapid antigen detection test for COVID-19?

The antigen detection test is done by collecting nasal swab to detect antigens that are found on or withing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Known as the Standard Q COVID-19 Ag kit, antigen detection test does not require any specialised machine. According to ICMR, the antigen testing is a promising tool for quick diagnosis of coronavirus infection in field settings. The results can be obtained within 30 minutes and can be analysed with a naked eye.

 

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