ADVANTAGES
1. Shorter turnaround time: Antigen Test: 20min ＜ RT-PCR: 2h
2. Lower cost, no equipment required and simpler operation make antigen test ideal fo point-of-care settings
3. Detect the virus direatly, allowing the early detection of COVID-19
4. Non-invasive sampling: Antigen Test: swabs; Antibody Test: blood
The detection of antigen indicates the active infection. Under the circumstance that the area(s) still undergo widespread community transmission with limited RT-PCR resources, antigen can be used for aiding in the diagnosis of COVID-19 suspected patients.
