Cannot make accurate decisions from delayed PCR results - GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) says that community samples covering the entire country should be taken for PCR testing.

The Editor of the Association, Dr. Haritha Aluthge, says that the country’s PCR test capacity should be increased while identifying possible alternatives.

The PCR samples that need to be tested have already accumulated to some extent. Some areas have informed us that there is a 4 to 5 day delay in the results of PCR tests.

A program to provide the results of PCR tests within 24 hours should be implemented immediately.

The results must come quickly if the response is to be accurate.

PCR results obtained within 48 hours have to be considered as delayed results. PCR results that are over 48 hours late have to be considered as a result that cannot be used to make accurate decisions.”