One test is not the other. — © rr
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Does it really have to be a PCR test, or is a rapid antigen test also sufficient to enter Pukkelpop’s whey? It was the cause of confusion among festival goers and organizers for a long time today. But what’s the difference? “A PCR test checks whether the genetic material of the virus is present and is much more accurate than an antigen test.”
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Geert Houben
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Tens of thousands of samples have already been examined for the presence of Covid-19 at the Center for Medical Analysis in Hasselt. “The PCR test detects the genetic material specific to this virus by multiplying the specific piece of RNA of the virus in such a way that it is detectable. So if there is a very small amount of genetic material of the virus in the wiper, or the virus itself, the PCR test will be able to show this. The PCR test is the gold standard for detecting the virus. The research is done in a lab. With us you have the result after nine hours on average,” says Danny Jamaer.
“An antigen test – the result of which is available after 15 minutes – detects the specific protein of the entire virus. The entire virus must therefore be on the wiper and in sufficient quantity. If there is enough virus on the wiper, the antigen test will be able to find it. If there are only fragments on the wiper or very small amounts, the antigen test will not be able to detect this, the PCR test will. The sensitivity of the rapid test or antigen test is 80 to 90 percent. For the PCR test, that is more than 99 percent,” concludes Jamaer.
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