Health Secretary Alonso Pérez Rico, reported last Tuesday during his daily report that rapid tests have begun to be used to detect COVID-19 in Baja California.

He said they give results in as little as 30 minutes, which is faster than PCR tests that give results within 24 to 48 hours.

However, this morning Pérez Rico indicated that these rapid tests known as antigens, "unfortunately if you do not have symptoms, you can be negative and when you are positive," since they have greater sensitivity for patients who are symptomatic. But beyond that, he mentioned that these are one more of the safest tests, since they have a specificity of about 100 percent and a sensitivity of between 85 and 95 percent.

This antigen test, like PCR, is also performed through the nose, but as mentioned, it gives results in a shorter time.

"However, the molecular PCR test against SARS CoV 2, cannot be stopped because that is the gold standard, since it is close to 100 percent sensitivity," he said.

Pérez Rico also clarified that the antibody test is different from the PCR and the antigen test, because it is taken in the blood and only tells you if you have "IgG" or "IgM," and does not tell you if you are positive or negative. When it results in "IgG", it means that after having had COVID-19 you have already developed immunity, he explained.

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