6 November 2020 07:08 pm
A group of medical specialists is currently reviewing the quality of the Antigen Based Rapid Diagnostic Test, which is to be introduced to Sri Lanka as a replacement for PCR testing, Chief Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Samaraweera said.
He told media today that the expert team was conducting research to ascertain which group of people with the virus should be subjected to Antigen Test. They would also study any harmful effects consequent to the testing.
“We hope that the expert team would be ready with the results of the quality control by this weekend,” Dr Samaraweera said.
“With the introduction of the new testing system, results could be delivered within a shorter period of time than PCR testing. It requires no big machines unlike those used for PCR testing,” he added.
Dr Samaraweera said the new system was known to be very productive and effective in detecting Covid cases within a lesser period of time.
However, it is yet be identified if the new system is viable in Sri Lanka,” he added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)