Philippine News Agency
RT-PCR test still ‘gold standard’ of Covid-19 testing
Former Health Secretary Janette Garin emphasized that while rapid antigen tests provide quick results, the RT-PCR test remains the gold standard for COVID-19 detection.
Garin explained that antigen tests are primarily intended for patients exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
She cautioned against over-reliance on antigen testing due to its potential for false negatives, stating that asymptomatic individuals who test negative via antigen should still undergo RT-PCR testing for confirmation.
The former Health Secretary noted that rapid antigen tests have a false negative rate of approximately 40%.
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