The terminology ‘rapid test’ essentially means that the test process is fast, simple, not lab-dependent and the results are rapid. “In the middle of an epidemic, when what is required is early diagnosis and treatment, the rapid test has no role. The rapid test for dengue allows rapid detection on the first day of fever, before antibodies appear five or more days later. However, for COVID-19 such rapid antigen detection tests are not available,” E. Sreekumar, a senior scientist at RGCB explains. The cost of PCR test is ₹1,200 per test, while that of antibody-based rapid tests is ₹1,500.

Source: The Hindu March 29, 2020 17:26 UTC