Chief Medical Officer Dr. Simone Keizer Beache, during a call to the Issues at Hand program on Sunday, disclosed the changes made to SVG’s COVID-19 testing protocols.
“We also have a change in testing in terms of what we do determine whether or not you are positive. If somebody has symptoms; fever, cough, cold, and you do a rapid antigen test; that one is done on the spot, within 20 minutes you have a result, once that’s positive then you are considered positive for COVID”. The CMO said.
The Chief Medical Officer said that during the pre outbreak period (March – September 2021) one would be subjected to a PCR test following a positive result on an antigen test, but the CMO says that evidence has proven that if someone has symptoms consistent with the disease during a COVID outbreak, there is no need to seek a PCR test if an antigen test has already been conducted. A positive antigen from an individual showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be considered COVID-19 positive.
She noted that those with symptoms who test negative on the antigen test will be subjected to a PCR test.
