New COVID-19 Test Kit Gets ICMR Nod; Results In 30 Mins

New Delhi: A new COVID-19 testing kit, developed by a South Korean firm, has become the first of its kind to get Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) validation. The antigen test kit produced by the firm SD Biosensor can deliver results in just 30 minutes.

According to a report published by the India Today, the new testing tool called the ‘Standard Q COVID-19 Ag Detection Kit’ costs just a few hundred rupees as compared to RT-PCR kits priced at Rs 2,500. The test kits are portable and will help in conducting on-site rapid tests in containment zones and hotspots.

While there are several advantages of using the antigen kit, the method of sample collection could be counted as one of its limitations. To detect coronavirus infection through these new Korean test kits, only nasopharyngeal swab samples can be used.

Moreover, the ICMR has suggested that if the Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Detection Kit produces a negative test result, it would be safer to get an RT-PCR test just to be doubly sure before ruling out any infection.

SD Biosensor has a manufacturing unit in Gurugram. The development comes at a time when the country is reeling under pressure amid the massive surge in coronavirus positive cases.