What is the Delta Variant?

Delta variant is the name given to a variant of SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It is of B.1.617 lineage, and it was detected first in India. It is labelled Variant of Concern (VOC) as it has a higher chance of transmission and can result in severe illness. Furthermore, early studies have shown that the delta variant spreads faster, almost two times more than the other variants. It has also been found to be more infectious, with a single infected person capable of infecting many others. Delta Variant can infect even those vaccinated against COVID-19, albeit with milder symptoms, and some can unknowingly become carriers.

Rapid Testing

Rapid Antigen Test is a diagnostic tool that detects the presence of COVID-19’s viral antigen from a respiratory tract sample, usually a nasopharyngeal swab. This testing kit is a simple, easy-to-use, affordable device with nearly 97.48% accuracy. It is also fast, with results visible within 15 to 20 minutes. Any qualified healthcare professional can use it as it can be performed in a simple three-step procedure. The three steps are collecting the sample, preparing it, and testing it out. The sensitivity of the test depends on the severity of the illness, viral concentration, and the quality of the specimen.

Can Rapid Testing Detect Delta Variants?

Rapid Antigen Test is used for testing suspected COVID-19 cases, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. This test itself cannot detect Delta Variant and should not be taken as the confirmatory test for diagnosis. However, it can identify infected cases of COVID-19, especially during the early days of the disease when the viral load is higher. It can also be used as an additional diagnostic test in cases with negative coronavirus nucleic acid tests. Thus, a Rapid antigen test can help identify early COVID-19 cases in order to take necessary safety protocols, seek early medical attention and perform further tests as needed. Boson Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen tests are effective in detecting COVID-19 Delta variants.