Rapid, mass-scale Covid-19 antigen test launched

Ortho’s latest Covid-19 can run up to 130 tests per hour and immediately help hospitals and reference labs address testing backlogs, supply shortages, and delayed results.

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics has launched VITROS SARS-CoV-2 antigen test on their VITROS 3600, VITROS 5600/ VITROS XT7600 systems, designed to detect active infection, which has the potential to supplement the available Covid testing tools.

A press release said that Ortho’s latest Covid-19 can run up to 130 tests per hour and immediately help hospitals and reference labs address testing backlogs, supply shortages, and delayed results. The clinical diagnostic manufacturer said the company has obtained approval for emergency use from the Indian regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

“Even as vaccine inoculation programs roll out, mass-scale testing remains an essential tool in fighting Covid-19. Our accurate, high-volume Covid-19 antigen test can play a pivotal role in the global response to this virus,” said Chris Smith, Chairman and CEO, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics.

The antigen test is an alternative to real-time PCR testing, which, although highly sensitive, can be expensive and requires long processing times during testing surges. The antigen tests deliver fast, high-volume testing for active infection with excellent specificity and sensitivity, he added.

Source: https://telanganatoday.com/rapid-mass-scale-covid-19-antigen-test-launched