Zh. Bekshin proposed to expand express testing for coronavirus

Zh. Bekshin proposed to expand express testing for coronavirus
The express method, in his opinion, will help to quickly identify the sources of the virus and interrupt the chain of its spread at an early stage. The Chief Sanitary Doctor of Almaty, Zhandarbek Bekshin, speaking at a press conference of the Regional Communications Service, also noted that express tests are highly effective and low-cost.
 
According to Zh. Bekshin, rapid testing for the antigen to coronavirus makes it possible to detect the disease in a timely manner and reduce the likelihood of its severe course. This is a screening method that is used all over the world. We are talking about a quick diagnosis, when in 15 minutes there is a high probability that it is possible to diagnose COVID-19. This is critically important in the case of coronavirus, which for many passes quickly and sharply worsens. Testing is carried out using the same technique as PCR, but the resulting biomaterial is not sent to the laboratory, but placed in a special solution.
“We have prepared recommendations for the use of rapid tests based on our own research. From April to September, at the peak of the growth of infection, we analyzed 4319 samples of nasopharyngeal swabs from sick and self-referring patients on the basis of 10 laboratories, two of them in infectious diseases clinics in Almaty, ”said the head of DSEC.
The study used an integrated approach. Both traditional PCR and express tests of ten names of various world manufacturers, including Kazakhstan's ECO Pharm KZ, were used.
These rapid tests for the determination of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen are based on the method of immunochromatography and are designed to quickly detect the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in nasopharyngeal swabs. Tests allow you to quickly and accurately exclude or confirm infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, do not have age restrictions.
“The use of our own strain with known characteristics allowed for validation, that is, confirmation of the viral culture with a known concentration of the pathogen. The same virus served as the basis for the creation of the domestic vaccine QazVac. As a result, we have obtained reliable characteristics in terms of reproducibility, specificity and sensitivity of express tests from various manufacturers, ”Zh. Bekshin continued.
According to the Chief Sanitary Doctor of the city, express tests have a fairly high degree of sensitivity, their results in terms of reliability meet international requirements. In addition, their specificity is 1.5% higher than that of PCR. At the same time, express tests from different manufacturers have different indicators during their clinical validation. The main task of express tests is to identify, as quickly as possible, those who can potentially become a source of the disease and interrupt the chain of spread of the virus.
Zh. Bekshin proposed to envisage new measures to increase the number of express testing at home, in pharmacies, clinics, ambulances for vulnerable groups of the population, workers in rotational enterprises, medical personnel, when crossing the state border, etc. express antigen tests will allow high-quality, and most importantly, fast testing of thousands of contacts with sick citizens.
According to Zh. Bekshin, this will not only save budget funds, but also reduce the physical costs of medical workers.