Antigen test starts today: It will gear up capability to tackle second wave: Experts

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Reza Mahmud :
The much awaited antigen testing in the country will start today (Saturday) to detect covid-19 infections.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will begin it in the 10 bordering districts at first.
Earlienr, Professor Dr Nasima Sultana, Additional Director (Admin) of DGHS, said, “For instance, the people of bordering districts like Jessore, who are moving around frequently, need better facilities of such testing.”
 “The testing will start from December 5,” Nasima Sultana said.
Only people with symptoms will be tested, she added.
According to the DGHS, the 10 districts are Jashore, Sylhet, Panchagarh, Gaibandha, Joypurhat, Patuakhali, Meherpur, Munshiganj, Brahmanbaria and Madaripur.

The human health experts along with the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 stressed for long to start the rapid testing like antigen and antibody testing to gear up identification process to tackle the pandemic.
In the view of possible second wave attack of the fatal virus, the experts have stressed the government to start antigen testing quickly.
On the other hand the coronavirus infections has increased in recent weeks across the country which created fear of probable attack of second wave.
Meanwhile the second wave has already attacked Europe and several South and North American countries.
In this circumstances, the government finally initiated the antigen testing which creates optimism among experts of tackling the transmission strongly.
“We have suggested the government to introduce rapid testing soon to prevent the probable second wave of the serious disease,” Professor Dr. Shahidul Islam, Chairman of the National Technical Advisory Committee told The New Nation.
He said, massive testing has a benefit to identify and to isolate the contaminated ones which will keep safe the others and will help prevent the another outbreak as it is easier and quick result oriented.
The DGHS is well prepared to start the antigen testing.
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has trained 10 Physicians, 10 Medical Technologists and 10 Statisticians in this regard.
The Health Minister Zahid Maleque in August announced the government’s decision to approve antigen tests.
In October, the government announced to buy 200,000 antigen test kits.
The DGHS through the IEDCR tested those kits in the same month.

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