Medical wrkers in Hà Nội conduct COVID-19 tests.

HÀ NỘI — As many as 51 medical offices have been allowed to conduct tests confirming COVID-19 results, according to a decision from the Ministry of Health.

A total of 24 are in the north of the country, four in the central region, one in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) and 22 others in the south.

Currently, countries around the world are using two methods for SARS-CoV-2 tests, including the RT-PCR method, and antibody test, which is often used for quick tests.

A report from the Hà Nội Department of Health showed that by Monday, more than 81,200 samples were tested, of which more than 19,200 were quick tests and more than 62,000 were RT-PCR tests.

Fifty-two out of more than 19,200 quick tests were positive, however, RT-PCR tests then showed they were negative. Thus quick tests showed rapid results, after 20 minutes, but accuracy reached only about 60-70 per cent.

The RT-PCR method is often used to confirm results of quick tests.

Experts believe that in controlling the pandemic, the combination of the two methods is better and helps ease the burden for the health sector to focus on treatment of COVID-19 patients.