Close contacts of Covid-19 patients should not rush to test immediately

Close contacts of COVID-19 patients should undergo PCR testing between three and five days after exposure, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit, Department of Immunology Molecular and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura said yesterday.

Dr. Jeevandara said that previously it was recommended that a test should be done on close contacts between five to seven days after the exposure.

 “If a person developed COVID-19 symptoms, a rapid antigen test is better but if there are no symptoms one must take a PCR test because it is more sensitive,” he said.

 Dr. Jeevandara said some people got themselves tested immediately when they were informed that they have been exposed to COVID-19. But most people who tested negative immediately afterwards developed symptoms later.

 “I am making this suggestion because I know people who wasted a lot of money by getting PCR tests immediately. For example, a family of eight, underwent tests costing Rs. 15,000 per person soon after such exposure. They all tested negative but developed are three days and had to repeat the tests. These tests showed that all were positive. The family ended up paying Rs. 240,000,” he said. (RK)