As virus resurges, NCOC approves use of antigen testing for coronavirus patients

Amid the rising cases and to boost the country's testing capacity, the National Command and Operation Centre on Wednesday approved the use of antigen testing for coronavirus patients, federal minister Asad Umar confirmed on Twitter.

Taking to the micro-blogging website, Umar said the NCOC had approved the use of antigen testing in addition to the PCR tests currently being used throughout the country.

"This is part of strategy to increase the level of testing. The symptomatic cases will all still be administered PCR tests," said the minister. He added that the decision is in line with the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

What is antigen testing?

According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antigen tests are "commonly used in the diagnosis of respiratory pathogens, including influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus".

"Antigen tests are immunoassays that detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies current viral infection," says the CDC.

Also read: Pakistan records highest single-day surge in coronavirus cases after three months

The CDC also said that the antigen tests can be used for screening testing in high-risk settings. It said that by carrying out repeat testing the test could quickly identify persons with coronavirus infection, leading authorities to take measures to control the virus and prevent transmission.

NCOC makes masks mandatory in public

Separately, NCOC, in a statement, said wearing masks is mandatory for  people leaving their homes and also made it compulsory for everyone to wear masks in government and private offices.

“Masks should also be used in markets and shopping malls,” said the NCOC. It also shared that, so far, authorities have imposed 4,374 lockdowns in 11 cities of Pakistan.

Read more: Alarm bells ringing at NCOC as all indicators turn red

The NCOC issue the directive as the country reported 825 cases and 14 deaths due to the coronavirus in the previous 24 hours.

Strict coronavirus restrictions inevitable: SAPM health

On Tuesday, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said that strict coronavirus restrictions are inevitable given the rise in COVID-19 deaths and the positivity ratio across Pakistan.

The premier's aide said that a few weeks ago, 400-500 cases were being reported across the country daily. The tally, he said, had shot up to 700-750 cases of the infection per day.

Read more: Pakistan’s coronavirus positivity rate spikes to 2.58%, highest in two months

"The Coronavirus death rate has increased in the country," he said, adding that that the positivity ratio had surged to 2.5-2.75%.

Dr Faisal said that the masses were not adhering to coronavirus precautions as they should, given the pandemic was still far from over.