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This is foreseen by the decision signed on Wednesday by the Minister of Health, Chief of Operations Aurelijus Veryga.
Until now, serological tests were only allowed in cases where a person had severe symptoms specific to the COVID-19 disease, but repeated tests by molecular diagnosis (PCR) are negative.
Such tests were also allowed to identify the immune response to coronavirus infection, but not earlier than 14 days after the onset of symptoms.
“The change was made to allow people who did not experience symptoms but want to know if they had a coronavirus infection to be tested,” said Monika Dabulė, chief specialist of the Division of Pharmaceutical Policy, SAM, in a comment posted to BNS.
Serological tests for COVID-19 show antibodies in the body. They analyze human blood.
Molecular diagnostic tests (PCR) indicate the presence of infection. They analyze mucosa samples from the airways.
“It is important to note that rapid tests are for professional use only when the results are evaluated and interpreted by healthcare professionals. This means that they should not be used at home without a healthcare professional, ”added the SAM spokeswoman.
However, Nora Ribokienė, director of the State Service for Accreditation of Health Care Activities, says that in the past, medical institutions could perform tests to diagnose the former disease, because the current “restrictions of the legislation are easily circumvented” .
As Mr Veryga told the BNS, although the possibilities of serological tests are expanding, there are also certain obligations: when such tests detect the presence of IgM class antibodies, a molecular diagnostic test (PCR) is required.
“We have to say what will happen if the test is positive about how people behave,” he explained.
When the immune response to a viral infection begins, IgM class antibodies are usually formed first, followed by the production of IgG class antibodies, which can persist for a long time.
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