Reasons Why COVID-19 Rapid Tests Are Necessary
COVID-19 rapid tests are point-of-care tests where you don’t need to send samples to labs for testing; rather, tests can be performed anywhere. The rapid test which detects the presence of coronavirus virus (SARS-CoV-20 responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly recognizes the antigen, therefore, is known as rapid antigen test.
The use of rapid testing technology is recommended for population-wide screening where the positivity rate is high or very high.
Five benefits of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests
1) Time:
COVID-19 rapid tests are timesaving and the results are known in less than 30 minutes. In places where you need rapid contact tracing in a large population, rapid antigen tests are very helpful.
2) Space:
In places where a major coronavirus outbreak has occurred and the population is dense, you can set up many make-shift labs and rapid antigen tests. RT-PCR test requires instruments and therefore cannot be used for mass testing. COVID-19 rapid tests can be done in the individual’s home and do not require special spaces.
3) Safety:
All flu is not COVID-19, however, you might catch the virus if you regularly visit hospitals with little safety. COVID-19 rapid tests help you stay safe by getting tested at your home.
4) Community Spread:
COVID-19 rapid tests help you in curbing community spread. As rapid antigen tests give results within 30 mins, the infected individual can quarantine themselves right away preventing the spread of virus.
5) Supplementing the testing:
Counties with large populations may not be able to afford RT-PCR tests for each and every individual and can use rapid antigen tests to supplement their testing. People with obvious symptoms contain high loads of the virus which can be easily detected by the rapid antigen kit. Slovakia was the first country to test all its adult population for the virus, it was only possible because of the rapid antigen kit.
Caveats
Covid 19 rapid tests near me do not detect low virus loads, and can only detect high virus loads. Unlike RT-PCR tests, rapid antigen tests do not deliver confirmed test results.