China sent 150,000 testing kits to Prague which have returned false results up to 80% of the time
Source:
https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/ostrava-rychlotesty-koronavirus_2003231414_sot
GOOGLE TRANSLATE:
Coronavirus rapid tests from China have an error rate of up to 80 percent, according to a regional hygienist
Rapid tests with coronavirus detection in the Moravian-Silesian Region will not help much. Their error rate is about 80 percent. They would probably be used mainly as verification tests for people in quarantine who have never been tested positively. After the Regional Crisis Staff meeting on Monday said regional hygienist Pavla Svrcinova. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Jan Hamacek (CSSD) claims that the wrong methodology has been chosen.
According to the hygienist, the Moravian-Silesian Region will continue to rely on laboratory testing. Currently they can handle about 900 samples a day.
"We checked them on Saturday at the University Hospital Ostrava, but unfortunately the error rate was quite high, so now we are waiting for the results of further testing across the country, they have never been tested positively because it works with antibodies, ”said Svrcinova.
She added that the tests showed false positive and false negative results. “We tested those who searched for a sampling site. Fortunately, we were so far-sighted that samples were immediately taken for the classic examination and that just proved the error rate of the tests, ”said Svrcinova. Even if tests are used in end-of-quarantine patients, hygienists will want to check their reliability first.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Jan Hamacek (CSSD) claims that the wrong methodology has been chosen. "I don't think it's a scandalous discovery that it's not working," he said after the government meeting.
According to him, quick tests can be "used when the disease has been going on for some time". "Or if someone returns from quarantine after 14 days," he added. PCR is still the most appropriate method to detect early-stage infection.