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Sunday, February 22, 2026
TopicAntigen test

Topic: Antigen test

Rapid antigen — why the less preferred Covid test has now become ICMR’s go-to option

Experts say revised strategy that calls for rapid tests in hospitals & public places, among others, is a tacit admission of community transmission & limitations of RT-PCR capacity.

Limit rapid antigen tests to 30-40% of total & only pre-symptomatic cases — Centre to states

In a letter to states, health and health research secretaries have expressed concern over excessive use of rapid antigen tests and quality of testing kits.

39 Covid cases in Sabarimala since pilgrim season began last week, temple to ramp up testing

Among the 39 positive cases, 27 are temple employees, while rest are police personnel and pilgrims. The pilgrimage season will continue till 20 January 2021.

It isn’t just Delhi. Kerala, Bihar & UP also conduct more than 50% rapid antigen tests

Analysis by ThePrint reveals that 88% of tests conducted in Bihar are rapid antigen, while this figure is 63% for Kerala and 60% for Uttar Pradesh.

‘What if I test positive?’ — Fear at borders as Noida picks commuters for random Covid test

In Delhi, the govt is conducting random rapid antigen tests in crowded markets. The decision was taken after residents were seen stepping out in large numbers before Diwali.

Only 12% of Covid tests in Bihar have been RT-PCR, says Modi govt

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan says govt is concerned not just about Bihar, but also other states where bypolls took place and Covid norms were violated.

How many RAT & RT-PCR tests has India conducted? Don’t have data, ask states, says ICMR

In reply to RTI query filed by ThePrint, ICMR says it only has cumulative testing data, and adds that it is the responsibility of states to maintain specific RAT & RT-PCR data.

How Kerala and Punjab became ‘worst performing states’ in their handling of Covid

In episode 594 of the #CuttheClutter, ThePrint’s Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta explains the Covid hits and misses of Punjab and Kerala in dealing with the pandemic.

Delhi withdraws order roping in mohalla clinics for Covid tests, but doctors still anxious

Delhi govt says it needs to train the staff first. Mohalla clinic doctors worried about safety, say they don’t have adequate protective gear and space to conduct Covid tests.

Experts back Delhi’s focus on antigen tests for Covid, call it best way to utilise resources

Concerns have been raised that asymptomatic cases are being missed in Delhi, but Deputy CM Manish Sisodia says antigen tests have helped curb spread of Covid.

On Camera

Youth Congress, your foolish protest helped the Modi govt climb out of the AI summit hole

In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

MoD, IAF agree on some exemptions to HAL for Tejas Mk1A, but no compromise on ‘must-have’ capabilities

IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.