The Government of India announced that the Rapid Antibody tests will strictly be used as surveillance test.
India recently imported 5 lakh rapid antibody kits from China.
India is to continue using DNA based RT-PCR testing to detect COVID-19.
This is done by using throat swabs.
According to ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), persons with influenza like symptoms and patients with runny nose and sore throat should take the RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test.
When the test is negative, they should go through antibody test after 7 days.
This is being done as antibodies are formed on persons’ body only after 8 days a person is infected.