With over 1,573 fresh coronavirus cases being reported on Sunday, the total number of people infected with Covid- 19 reached 1,12,494 till date, in the National Capital.
As per the Sunday heath bulletin released by the Delhi government, 89968 patients have recovered and discharged or migrated so far, while number of active cases stood at 19155, it said
Rapid-antigen tests were started in the city on June 18. Since then a total of 789853 tests through the RT-PCR (reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction) and rapid-antigen methods have been conducted in Delhi with around 9443 (RT-PCR) tests conducted on Sunday.
According to health authorities, rapid-antigen testing is an easy and cheaper method as compared to the RT-PCR test. Each testing kit costs Rs 450 and can provide results within 30 minutes as compared to RT-PCR test that takes three to four hours.
The kits, called Standard Q COVID-19 Ag detection, have been developed by South Korean company S D Biosensor. The testing method involves looking for antibodies which are produced when the body is exposed to a pathogen.
If a person has antibodies associated with novel coronavirus, it means the person is either COVID-19 positive or has recovered.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, suspected individuals who test negative for COVID-19 in rapid-antigen test should undergo RT-PCR to rule out the infection.
While positive test results should be considered as true positive and do not need reconfirmation by RT-PCR test, it said. Rapid-antigen testing requires a prescription and an ICMR form filled by a registered doctor, and a government identity proof, same as that for RT-PCR test.
According to the government the active cases of coronavirus reported on Saturday in the national capital were the lowest in the last 31 days and not even a single coronavirus patient under home isolation in the city has died in July and there has been a "sharp decline" in daily fatality figures in the past two weeks.