After All, PCR Results Are More Accurate Than Antigens

Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Maybe many of your relatives or relatives -- soon -- who reported being exposed to the Coronavirus referred to the results of the Antigen rapid test. How high is the accuracy of the Antigen?

Government Spokesperson for Handling COVID-19, Reisa Broto Asmoro, said the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) rapid test method was the right diagnostic tool to detect COVID-19.

"PCR has identified SARS-CoV-2 particles. So indeed, what is used for diagnosis is the PCR swab test", said Reisa Broto Asmoro when delivering a press release which was followed by YouTube RRI Net Official in Jakarta, Monday, February 14, quoted from Antara.

Reisa said PCR has higher accuracy in testing than other tools, which ranges from 70 to 98 percent.

Reisa, who also serves as the Behavior Change Ambassador, said that PCR requires relatively longer results compared to rapid antigen tests because it uses tools in the laboratory.

"So the time for the sample to be taken from the nasopharynx and throat takes about one to two days", he said.

However, if a location experiences limitations in accessing PCR services, Reisa suggests the use of another diagnostic tool, namely the rapid antigen test.

Reisa said that Antigen has a lower accuracy than PCR, which ranges from 30 to 84 percent depending on the quality of the tool from the provider company.

"Antigen is used as an initial screening for people who are asymptomatic, it can also be used as a diagnosis if they are already symptomatic or suspected of being a close contact who has been exposed to COVID-19", he said.

Reisa said that Antigen had become a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 at a time when the PCR rapid test rate was relatively expensive.

"Because PCR is now more affordable, by what is directed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is the 'gold standard for establishing the diagnosis of COVID-19, the PCR swab is used", he said.