Rapid antigen tests detect proteins at the surface of virus particles, identifying the disease during its infectious phase. In contrast, PCR tests detect RNA genomes . They can react to a COVID-19 infection before the infectious phase but also  to remnants of the virus genome, even weeks after virus replication has ended . Furthermore, the logistics for administering the tests are different. In this article, we discuss the relative advantages of the different testing procedures and summarise evidence that shows that using antigen tests 2-3 times per week could become a powerful tool to suppress the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss the results of recent large-scale rapid antigen testing in Austrian schools.
Rapid antigen tests detect proteins at the surface of virus particles, identifying the disease during its infectious phase. In contrast, PCR tests detect RNA genomes : they can diagnose COVID-19 before the infectious phase but also react to remnants of the virus genome, even weeks after live virus ceases to be detectable in the respiratory tract . Furthermore, the logistics for administering the tests are different. In this article, we discuss the relative advantages of the different testing procedures and summarise evidence that shows that using antigen tests 2-3 times per week could become a powerful tool to suppress the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss the results of recent large-scale rapid antigen testing in Austrian schools.
R
. They can react to a
: they can diagnose
D
infection
A
react
R
virus replication has ended
live virus ceases to be detectable in the respiratory tract