The Ministry of Health and Wellness has commenced the pilot of antigen testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) at nine public health facilities islandwide.

The month-long exercise, which got under way on Monday, is being conducted at the Kingston Public Hospital, Bustamante Hospital for Children, and Comprehensive Health Centre in the Corporate Area; Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine; Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester; Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James; and St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital in St Ann.

These are in addition to the National Public Health Laboratory in Kingston, and the National Influenza Centre at the University of the West Indies, which are mainstay sites for COVID-19 testing in Jamaica.

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, said that activities under the pilot will be observed by representatives of some 12 private laboratories, which have been in touch with suppliers to import the test.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20201126/covid-19-antigen-testing-being-piloted-nine-public-health-facilities