The Ministry of Health has allowed 51 health facilities across the country to perform diagnostic tests in order to detect cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

In line with this move by the Ministry of Health, a total of 24 units based in northern region, four units located in the central region, along with one unit in the Central Highlands, and an additional 22 units located in southern region, will be permitted to conduct tests aimed at checking for positive COVID-19 cases. 

At present, the two main methods of identifying positive COVID-19 cases globally include viral genetic tests, widely known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), along with antibody tests, which are most often used for the purpose of quick testing. 

The PCR method is considered to be highly accurate due to it being able to directly detect the viral gene. However, this method requires medical professionals to work with complex machines, ultimately leading to the results taking several hours to be released. 

With regard to the antibody method, specialized training is not required, with the outcomes only taking a short period of time to be released. In spite of these benefits, this method has a much lower sensitivity and specificity than the results produced by the PCR method. 

It is believed that a combination of both methods will help to control the disease in a more efficient manner, thus reducing the burden placed on medical facilities, whilst simultaneously allowing resources to be focused on treating infected cases.