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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Trains resume service to Swiss ski resort Zermatt after heavy snowfall
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Zermatt can once again be reached by train starting Saturday afternoon. The Alpine holiday resort was inaccessible by land for some time after heavy snowfall last Thursday.
Authorities urge vigilance after heavy snowfall in southern Switzerland
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Vigilance remains the order of the day in the southern canton of Valais, despite a stable situation after heavy snow on Thursday, authorities said on Saturday.
Switzerland won’t be spared drug violence: criminal police head
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It is only a matter of time before Switzerland, like other countries in Europe, experiences an escalation in drug-related violence, says the head of the Federal Criminal Police.
Handful of Swiss Easter processions take place after inclement weather
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Traditional Good Friday processions continue to take place in some municipalities in Switzerland. In Romont, canton Fribourg, for example, the "Pleureuses" marched through the streets.
Great St. Bernard pass between Switzerland and Italy closed due to avalanche
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An avalanche forced the closure of the Great St. Bernard pass between Switzerland and Italy on Thursday. The route remains closed to Easter traffic.
‘Pressure will increase on Switzerland to invest more in defence’
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Markus Mäder, Switzerland's state secretary for security policy, believes that more cooperation is needed in order to strengthen defence in Europe.
Just one in five Swiss attend a religious service at Easter
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Only one in five people in Switzerland attend a religious service during the Easter period or give up meat or alcohol for at least one day of fasting. Around 25% of those polled see Easter primarily as a family holiday, according to the survey.
Major road disruptions continue after heavy snowfall in parts of Switzerland
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The snowfall has ended in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, the cantonal emergency services said on Friday. Several roads, however, remain closed.
Swiss businessman gets prison term for asbestos deaths
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Stephan Schmidheiny has been sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison by the Turin Court of Appeal in a case against the former Eternit executive over deaths linked to asbestos exposure in Italy.
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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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