A large, new survey of 117,670 people from Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut (SSI) showed that PCR tests found 4,069 positive samples but subsequent antigen tests captured only 2,159 of them. 1,910 people received a negative antigen test result, even though coronavirus could be detected in the throat.
Over a period of just over seven weeks from February 1 to March 23, 117,670 citizens received both a PCR test and an antigen test within 48 hours.
According to the PCR test, 4,069 of them were positive. However, the antigen test captured only 2,159 of them. This meant that 1,910 people received a negative test result, even though coronavirus could be detected in the throat.
“Our study shows that antigen testing is quite imprecise in identifying an infected person. We can see that 47% of all those who are actually infected with corona get a negative test result after an antigen test. So they have been tested false negative “, says acting academic director at SSI Tyra Grove Krause about the study.
