MANAMA — Bahrain's Ministry of Health has launched the rapid Covid-19 tests on a trial basis.

Primary Healthcare Labs Chief Batoul Al-Alawi said that 20,000 tests would be initially conducted, focusing on teachers, students, medical teams on the frontline, and symptomatic patients.

The rapid test detects COVID-19 infections through a nasal swab with an accurate diagnosis of the patient's condition within 15 minutes without the need for a specialized laboratory.

The new service is part of initiatives spearheaded by the National Taskforce for Combating COVID-19 to facilities tests and keep abreast of international developments.

“The test results are the same as those currently approved in laboratories for Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing”, said the ministry.

The Primary Healthcare Labs Chief indicated that this test does not substitute for a PCR examination if the result is positive.

The medical equipment has been used on a trial basis to test more than 2700 patients, out of 4200, who are set to undergo tests and the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, in addition to 800 health and medical frontliners.

The rapid test characterized by ease of use, in a practical and economical way in terms of the time it takes for the therapeutic examination of nasal swabs by means of PCR examination. — Bahrain News Agency