The rapid antigen test approved in Switzerland has performed badly in a direct comparison with PCR tests. Among 141 people infected with Covid-19, it detected only two out of three infections.
The research team determined the diagnostic accuracy of Roche’s rapid antigen test in a clinical setting for the first time by evaluating samples taken by specially trained experts using both test methods.
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Rapid Covid-19 tests could offer a path back to normal
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Could rapid antigen tests like the one Roche plans to launch this month become the norm?
In the sample of 1,465 tests, the PCR test showed that 141 people (9.6%) were infected with Covid-19, while the rapid antigen test detected 95 infections (6.4%). In practice, it could be assumed that the results are even worse, especially when taking samples, the statement said.
“Widespread application in such a setting might lead to a considerable number of individuals falsely classified as SARS-CoV-2 negative,” the study concluded.
Missed cases
Co-author Franziska Suter-Riniker from the University of Bern added that antigen tests work better with a high viral load than with a low viral load. Thus, highly infectious people would also be more likely to test positive.
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Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
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An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
The researchers wrote that currently an estimated 130,000 rapid tests are carried out per week in Switzerland. With about 18% coming back positive, some 23,400 would be correctly identified as positive, but 12,400 infected people would be missed.
“There is thus a potential risk that antigen tests will make the pandemic worse instead of slowing it down,” said study leader Michael Nagler from the Insel hospital. “The rapid antigen tests available today should therefore only be used with reservations as part of the Covid-19 measures.”
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What’s the best way to convince people to get the Covid vaccine?
Do positive incentives like give-aways work? Or should more coercive measures like in France be taken?
Situation calm overnight above Swiss village facing avalanche
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The situation in the Valais village of Blatten VS, which was threatened by a landslide, remained calm on Tuesday night. The anxiety continues, especially for the 300 evacuated residents.
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Two ski tourers were caught in an avalanche on the Alphubel near Täsch, canton Valais, on Saturday and were fatally injured.
Most Swiss ready to steer clear of US products due to tariffs
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A majority of Swiss and European consumers say they are prepared to opt out of buying American products like Coca-Cola and Nike in protest at US tariffs, a study shows.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) boss, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says the Geneva-based UN agency has revised down its budget to $4.2 billion (CHF3.5 billion) for 2026-2027.
Swiss police break up major Chinese trafficking ring
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Bern cantonal police have smashed a major human trafficking ring. Five people are accused of luring over 100 Chinese women to Switzerland to exploit them as sex workers.
Landslide threat: authorities order evacuation of Swiss mountain village
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The local authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the village of Blatten and its 300 residents due to "imminent" dangers.
Swiss health survey: 52% of men are overweight, 34% of women
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The results of the Swiss Health Survey 2022 reveal clear differences between men and women: 55% of women and 44% of men live with at least one chronic illness.
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Switzerland plans to give an additional $80 million (CHF67 million) for the 2025-2028 period to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is facing financial difficulties.
Over half a million people attended Eurovision shows or events in Basel
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Over 500,000 people attended Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) shows or related events in Basel last week, the organisers said on Monday, celebrating its "great success".
Appenzell village is named ‘lightning capital’ of Switzerland
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Gonten in canton Appenzell Inner Rhodes recorded the highest number of lightning strikes per square kilometre in Switzerland last year.
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‘You can’t test the virus away’
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As Switzerland embarks on a major test offensive, Geneva virologist Isabella Eckerle cautions against treating it as a silver bullet.
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