By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The present PCR testing capacity in the country would be maintained despite the introduction of a new rapid antigen test for Covid-19, Ministry of Health Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera told The Sunday Morning on Friday (6).
He stressed that there would be no reduction in the number of PCR tests conducted in the country at present, despite the new rapid antigen test being introduced.
He added that the issues that prevailed regarding PCR testing in the country have now been sorted and therefore, the PCR tests are being carried out at maximum capacity.
According to the Health Education Bureau (HEB), Sri Lanka has conducted a total number of 568,183 PCR tests so far, with 11,824 tests conducted on last Thursday (5). The highest number of PCR tests was conducted on 31 October, which was 11,999.
Dr. Samaraweera said there were delays in releasing some PCR test results due to the malfunctioning PCR machine at the Mulleriyawa Hospital in recent days. The machine has now been restored and the examination of the delayed PCR tests was underway, he added.
Meanwhile, a group of medical specialists is currently reviewing the quality of the antigen-based rapid diagnostic test which is to be introduced to Sri Lanka as a replacement for PCR testing. The expert team was conducting research to ascertain which group of people with the virus should be subjected to antigen tests.
Dr. Samaraweera said, with the introduction of the new testing system, results could be delivered within a shorter period of time than PCR testing. It requires no big machines unlike those used for PCR testing and the new system was known to be very productive and effective in detecting Covid-19 cases within a shorter period of time, he added.
He added that the issues that prevailed regarding PCR testing in the country have now been sorted and therefore, the PCR tests are being carried out at maximum capacity.
According to the Health Education Bureau (HEB), Sri Lanka has conducted a total number of 568,183 PCR tests so far, with 11,824 tests conducted on last Thursday (5). The highest number of PCR tests was conducted on 31 October, which was 11,999.
Dr. Samaraweera said there were delays in releasing some PCR test results due to the malfunctioning PCR machine at the Mulleriyawa Hospital in recent days. The machine has now been restored and the examination of the delayed PCR tests was underway, he added.
Meanwhile, a group of medical specialists is currently reviewing the quality of the antigen-based rapid diagnostic test which is to be introduced to Sri Lanka as a replacement for PCR testing. The expert team was conducting research to ascertain which group of people with the virus should be subjected to antigen tests.
Dr. Samaraweera said, with the introduction of the new testing system, results could be delivered within a shorter period of time than PCR testing. It requires no big machines unlike those used for PCR testing and the new system was known to be very productive and effective in detecting Covid-19 cases within a shorter period of time, he added.