The Ministry of Health (MOH) wishes to remind the general public that based on its Coronavirus (COVID-19) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), the IgG/IgM Rapid Test is NOT used to diagnose COVID-19 anywhere in the State of Grenada.
In fact, the MOH states clearly that based on the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization COVID-19 Case Definition guidelines, a confirmed COVID-19 case is “a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.”
As such, in keeping with the established SOPs, Grenada relies only on the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method of testing to diagnose its COVID-19 cases.
In light of that fact, the Ministry of Health does not report when a positive rapid test is returned for an individual; instead, it ensures that a PCR test is conducted for confirmation of a person’s COVID-19 status.
Ministry of Health officials say while what was recently circulated on social media regarding a positive Rapid Test result for an individual in police custody might have caused unease and unnecessary panic among some sections of the population, there is no need for alarm, as the PCR test returned a negative result, and that is the only confirming result of a person’s case status.
The Ministry of Health reminds the public that it is extremely important to adhere to the established COVID-19 health and safety protocols, such as the proper wearing of face masks and face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, and the all-important frequent hand washing with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and cleaning of frequently touched objects and surfaces.
