The use of rapid or serological tests have enabled the detection of 532
, which will make it possible to monitor those citizens and prevent them from continuing to infect others, President Martín Vizcarra affirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
Within this framework, the Head of State reported that 10,104 rapid tests have already been conducted, of which merely 532 resulted positive.
Rapid tests are not a substitute for
(more specialized) molecular tests but are complementary. They are aimed at identifying in which areas or neighborhoods the COVID-19 is present. They do not require the use of laboratories and are directly carried out. Results can be ready in 10 to 15 minutes.
Tests in regions
Rapid tests have been distributed to the regions: Amazonas (700); Ancash (2,800); Apurimac (700); Arequipa (2,800); Ayacucho (700); Cajamarca, Callao, and Cusco (2,800); Huancavelica (700); Huanuco (2,800); Ica (2,800); Junin (2,800); La Libertad (5,250); Lambayeque (2,800); Loreto (2,800); Madre de Dios (2,800); Moquegua (700); Pasco (700); Piura (2,800); Puno (700); San Martin (2,800); Tacna (700); Tumbes (2,800); and Ucayali (700).
Laboratories
On the other hand, the President said that there are 9 laboratories authorized by the Ministry of Health to conduct molecular tests in the regions. These are found in Cajamarca, Cusco, La Libertad, Loreto, Piura, San Martín, Tumbes, Arequipa, and Lambayeque.