HIQA says it will be some time before rapid testing for Covid 19 can be rolled out on a national basis.
It's published a report for NPHET on testing, which says that introducing validated rapid tests would help expand capacity in the system, reduce turnaround times and improve access to tests.
However, the health watchdog says that rapid tests typically show reduced diagnostic accuracy compared with the current PCR method.
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Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound HIQA's Deputy Chief Executive Dr Mairin Ryan says clinical validation studies will need to be completed before any new test is implemented.
