Rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 to begin in Georgia today

Rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 will be launched in Georgia today.

The rapid antigen test gives results in less than 30 minutes. 

This method relies on the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins in nasal swabs and other respiratory secretions.

Deputy Head of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Paata Imadze says there are 150,000 raid antigen tests in stock in Georgia as of now and another half a million have been ordered.

Imnadze also mentioned that this type of test is authorised by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organisation.

While explaining the importance of using facemasks and keeping distance from one another, Imnadze said studies show if over 90 per cent of the population uses face masks properly, the number of expected new cases of infection will be reduced by 70 per cent.

Imnadze said 3,000-4,000 new cases of infection are expected in the coming days in Georgia.

• Gov’t: wearing facemasks in open areas in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi strongly recommended

The government of Georgia said yesterday that wearing face masks in open areas in the three main cities of Georgia - Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi - is strongly recommended to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. 

People will be fined for not wearing face masks in closed public areas and public transport.