COVID-19: Pune all set to start rapid antigen detection tests

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to conduct rapid antigen detection tests for diagnosis of COVID-19 after a couple of days, a top official said on Wednesday.

He said the move will decrease burden on the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and other laboratories.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has received one lakh rapid antigen testing kits, he said.

As of June 30, Pune has seen 17,000 COVID-19 cases and 643 fatalities.

The introduction of the rapid antigen detection test might see a rise in the daily number of cases in Pune.

"We had placed an order of antigen rapid testing kits and received one lakh such kits. We will start conducting this test in the next couple of days after providing hands-on training to our staff posted in swab collection centres in the city," said PMC commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad.