“Though RT-PCR” testing The gold standard is, it has had a 20% false negative rate since the start of the pandemic and for some time has relied on tests as well as clinical symptoms. while at present delta And the Delta Plus variant being picked up by the existing testing methods, if a new variant comes out, there are chances that it may not be detected. Dr M Raja Rao, superintendent, Gandhi Hospital.
In a study conducted in AIG Hospital, Comparing RT-PCR positivity from nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) nasal swabs and saliva, doctors found that RT-PCR by NP/OP swabs showed 80% positivity in hospitalized patients. In patients who test negative by NP/OP swab, if saliva is tested, the percentage positivity increases to 95%.
“The emergence of viral variants that are no longer detectable by certain diagnostic tests is a real possibility due to the fact that the virus is continuously mutating. A negative RT-PCR result does not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection. Consider a negative RT-PCR result in combination with clinical observations, patient history, laboratory and radiological investigations and epidemiological information,” said Dr. Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals, after issuing a COVID-19 protocol guideline.
Other experts say that beta and gamma are sometimes missed out of the four main types of anxiety. “However, cases can also be missed due to the timing of testing, as the vaccination status of the individual clears the virus load much faster than others, with a high probability of disappearance of the infection. Chances are,” said Dr. Kiran Madhala, health specialist.
.