FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Positive antigen test ‘not enough’ to gain admission to hospital, Community Isolation

Positive antigen test ‘not enough’ to gain admission to hospital, Community Isolation

The Department of Medical Services reiterated on Tuesday that people who test positive for Covid-19 via rapid antigen test kits will receive medical kits and treatment in Home Isolation.

Patients with a positive antigen test result who need Community Isolation or hospital treatment will be retested with the RT-CPR method and isolated from other patients while waiting for their result.


“Patients who test positive after using antigen test kits are categorised as ‘probable cases’ as 3-5 per cent of antigen test results are false positives,” said Somsak Akksilp, the department’s director-general.


“The subcommittee for medical treatment and rehabilitation resolved on July 23 that patients with a positive antigen test result will immediately receive medicines and Home Isolation treatment. If Community Isolation, hospital treatment, or any type of Covid-19 treatment accommodation is required, patients will need to be tested again via the RT-PCR method for a more accurate result and will be separated from other Covid-19 patients,” he said.


The new procedures are aimed at speeding up treatment in a bid to curb the spread of the virus, he added.

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