Omicron: Why a potential Covid-19 surge might need hybrid testing

Using a combination of RT-PCR tests with Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) helps detect more cases faster during a surge in cases, in remote areas with little access to RT-PCRs and in Covid-19 hotspots

To quickly detect Covid-19 positive cases and slow the virus' spread in case of a possible surge due to the Omicron variant, India must increase its use of Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT, which take 30 minutes or less), in addition to the "gold standard" RT-PCR tests, research shows.

RATs can help improve access to testing, without ramping up RT-PCR capacity, help identify more positive cases, at a lower cost, and help better handle a possible third wave, shows a project by teams from the Max Institute of Healthcare Management at the Indian School of Business and health nonprofit PATH, funded by