MANAMA — Bahrain's Ministry of Health on Tuesday announced the availability of the coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid antigen test in pharmacies across the Kingdom of Bahrain, with a ceiling price of 4 Bahraini dinars (SR40 approximately). The COVID-19 rapid antigen test provides a fast and effective point of care testing, with results being obtained in just 15 minutes. The initiative to provide the fast-testing technique accessible by all reflects the kingdom's commitment to ensuring the availability of advanced diagnostic healthcare and treatment to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19, in line with global best practice, the ministry said. A list of the pharmacies that provide the COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits will be periodically updated by the MOH on their newly launched website at healthalert.gov.bh The allocation and prices of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits have been supervised by the National Health Regulatory Authority. The ministry underscored that the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test remains the approved diagnostic tool used in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The COVID-19 rapid antigen test is performed as a nasal swab, and the device gives results within 15 minutes with an accuracy of more than 93 percent. In addition, the rapid antigen test is easy to use, practical and time-efficient, the ministry added.
