The government prepares an alternative method for rapid testing

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The spokesperson for the Covid-19 Working Group, Wiku Adisasmito, said that the government was preparing a detection method (put on screen) Patients with Covid-19 as a substitute for a rapid test ( Quick test).

Wiku relayed this in a press release via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Thursday (9/25/2020).

“We are working on a method put on screen a better and more accurate alternative is to use a quick swab by using the antigen, “Wiku said.

Quick swab it is a screening test, like a rapid test.

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The difference, specimens Quick test uses blood to determine the presence of antibodies that are usually formed when the corona virus infects the body.

While the specimens quick swab is a swab in the larynx and nose as evidence swab with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

However, the rapid swab sample examination did not use the PCR method.

Regarding the results of Quick test neither quick swab it still needs to be determined by a swab test (swab) with the PCR method to know for sure that someone is infected with the corona virus or not.

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He said currently the government is still using it Quick test as a detection tool to detect people suspected of having been exposed to Covid-19. If the rapid test results are reactive, continue with swab.

“ Quick test it is a method put on screen, not a diagnosis. Until this moment, Quick test it is still used as a prerequisite for travel according to the rules issued by the Ministry of Communications, “said Wikum

“Basically, this test (quick test) is necessary to reduce the number of unnecessary trips,” he continued.