Health Ministry must update the current COVID-19 testing algorithm: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said the time has come for the Health Ministry to update the current COVID-19 testing algorithm as soon as possible.

Addressing a media briefing yesterday GMOA Editor Haritha Aluthge urged the specialists to draw their attention on the above matter.

He also requested the Government to reveal the policy relating to the quarantine procedure and not to release the persons who are currently at home quarantine without conducting PCR tests.

Also, the Health Ministry should look into the use of the reliability of the Rapid Antibody Test in line with the PCR and Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT), Dr Aluthge said.

The Rapid Antibody Test is a reliable, rapid chromatographic immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection of antibodies in human serum, plasma or whole blood.

We requested professionals to use the tests in laboratory and near patient-testing environment for fast detection of COVID-19 positive patients, Dr Aluthge added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)