The former Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has disclosed that passengers who test negative for COVID prior to their flight can test positive upon their arrival.
Speaking on an Accra based radio station, he indicated that this can be as a result of the virus being in its early stages and as a result cannot be detected prior to the passenger’s flight.
“You can actually have a PCR negative test and still test positive for antigen test within 72 hours. In fact, it can also be a positive PCR test within 72 hours.
“First of all, at the time you tested positive, it is very possible that the virus, in terms of incubation, has reached a stage where it can be seen. Also, the PCR is a very technical procedure, so you need efficiency test to take out the… material from the fluid that has been collected from your samples and then submit that material to a microscope for magnification for the testing of the virus.”
Dr. Okoe Boye
This comes on the back of some claims by citizens doubting the testing regime at the airport and in the country after a traveler alleged her COVID results were untrue after she tested positive upon her arrival.
Virus not being detected early, true
He further stated that the ‘scientific literature’ which indicates that at the early stages of infection one can test negative due to the stage of the virus is undoubtedly true and admonished passengers to duly follow protocols when they are instructed to.
“Your test can fall on negative. As in you being told you’re negative when you’re not. You can do a PCR test on 100 people who are in their early stages of infection and miss out on all of them. So, these are some of the reasons why we opted for the antigen test.”
Dr. Okoe Boye
Not denying the fact that technical fault might alter the COVID results,;he then posited that if the physician in charge faults with a procedure, it is possible to have that situation from the reality that is being told you are positive when you are negative.
Airport antigen test, reliable
Dr. Okoe Boye further intimated that the antigen test at the airport is very reliable and not unreliable as being purported. He also admonished the public especially travelers not to condemn the testing regime with no clear scientific evidence.
“We will continue to benchmark it with PCR from Noguchi to make sure that we can count on the results. So, we should adhere to the protocols. Suggestions are welcome and we will continue to review protocols.”
Dr. Okoe Boye
He then urged for education to be given to the public on how the result can change and the changing nature of the virus.
“I think this reminds us that education is very powerful. And guess we as a country or the covid management team, must find innovative ways to send out the information.”
Dr. Okoe Boye
He then lamented in the cheapness of some testing kits the passengers use in their country which does not provide them with accurate test results.
