“People who undergo RTPCR tests that throw up a false-negative result are treated as Covid-19 patients after CT scans show the infection. Sometimes, repeat RT-PCR tests can be helpful. Quality of kitsDr Raghu J, senior consultant, internal medicine and infectious disease specialist at Sakra World, said false-negative RT-PCR results are seen in about 10-15 % of cases. “All patients who are negative for Covid RT-PCR test, but have symptoms are advised to take a CT scan,” said Dr Raghu. When contacted, Dr BK Vijendra, chief health officer, BBMP, said there is no increase in the number of RT-PCR false-negative since the pandemic hit.

Source: Economic Times July 15, 2021 02:48 UTC