Tony O’Brien: Antigen testing must be scaled up, and quickly

The government will have to decide where it is going to get the testing capacity from and who is going to pay for it

Antigen testing at a pilot festival in Kilmainham in Dublin: ‘It is not as accurate as the gold standard PCR test, but PCR capacity is inherently limited.’ Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Rapid antigen testing has become a polarising issue in Ireland. Whether or not the state deploys it as a frontline tool in the struggle to fully reopen society is a live topic of debate. The issue has become heated and a resolution is now needed, so that the matter can finally be settled.

Antigen testing is not as accurate as the gold standard PCR test, but PCR capacity is inherently limited. Results can take 24 ...