Izah Azahari
There were reports of antigen rapid test (ART) kits giving false negatives for Omicron variant because of reduced sensitivity. However, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said it is unknown which ART kits the reports referred to.
During a press conference yesterday, the minister added, “We must understand that ART is not 100 per cent accurate but it is in the 90 per cent and above range.The test kits approved for sale in Brunei had gone through rigorous tests to ensure reliable results.”
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said false positives are more commonly reported but the results can easily be confirmed with a PCR test.
The minister noted, “What we fear is false negative as it gives false assurance”, while urging the public to use only approved test kits.
