Coronavirus detection has officially started in the country. About two months after receiving permission, this method began to detect corona.
On Saturday (December 5), Health Minister Zahid Malek inaugurated the antigen testing program in 10 districts.
At this time, the health minister requested everyone to follow the mask and hygiene rules to deal with the second wave of coronavirus.
He said antigen tests would play an effective role in detecting corona in a quick time. In a short time we will introduce antigen tests in all the districts of the country.
Health Secretary Abdul Mannan said, ‘Initially, antigen tests were introduced in the districts where RT PCR tests were not available. I wanted to start in the marginal districts from that thought from the beginning.’
Out of the 64 districts in the country which do not have RT-PCR coronavirus testing facility but the rate of infection is high in recent times, 10 districts have been selected for antigen testing. These districts are Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Joypurhat, Jessore, Meherpur, Brahmanbaria, Patuakhali, Munshiganj, Madaripur and Sylhet.
Earlier, test kits were sent to the hospitals designated for Covid-19 in these districts for antigen testing.
According to the Department of Health, only those in these districts who have symptoms of coronavirus will be brought under antigen testing. Arrangements will be made to immediately isolate those who test positive to prevent infection. On the other hand, if someone’s test result is negative despite the symptoms, then his RT will be tested again by PCR method. This is because even if the results of the antigen test are fast, there is a high risk of false results. The government has not yet fixed any fee for the antigen test.
Earlier, on July 10, the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 also advised the Drug Administration to allow antigen-based testing to limit the scope of sample testing to detect novel coronavirus (Covid-19) infections.
News Room, December 05,2020