OF thousands who tested negative in antigen tests carried out in the eight wards in the eastern and western suburbs, only a handful were sent for the RT-PCR tests and of them, only two tested positive for COVID-19 in P South ward. Apart from COVID care facilities and residential camps, the civic body is now focussing on using antigen test kits for the conservancy staff starting this week.

According to the regulations, since the antigen tests can give false negative results, those who test negative, are then recommended for an RT-PCR test if they have symptoms. Health officials said that barring civic hospitals, antigen tests are currently being carried out in COVID care facilities in eight wards and in camps for residential areas in three wards with the help of private laboratories. Among the eight wards, civic officials said RT-PCR tests were done only in P North (Malad) and P South (Goregaon) wards.