Sri Lanka Health sector started the use of Rapid Antigen Test since today (November 18). The Ministry of Health gave permission to use the test, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, the Director of the Epidemiology Unit said.
The test is available in several selected hospitals.
The report of the Rapid Antigen Test can be obtained within 30 minutes.
The official said that the government bears around Rs. 6,000 per a test for the test alone. Laboratory Technicians' Union Chairman Ravi Kumudesh said that the cost for a test is as high as Rs. 10,000 with safety equipment and other costs.
Sri Lanka has conducted 590,435 PCR tests, according to COVID-19 Live Situational Analysis Dashboard of Health Promotion Bureau. Health sources say that a minimum of three PCR tests is required to verify a COVID-19 case.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has provided Sri Lanka with 50,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits and the stock is expected to arrive in the country today, November 8th.
Rapid Antigen Test in which the protein antibodies in the infected person’s blood is tested is a low-cost field test that brings results faster. However, there is a lack of sensitivity in the new test when compared to the PCR test, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said to media.
Rapid Antigen Test delivers results in 20 minutes and it will be used prior to using the costlier PCR test for further testing, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said.
(Cover photo: Times of India, mentioned price is Indian Rs.)
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