In order to further optimize the detection strategy of COVID-19, according to the needs of epidemic prevention and control, the comprehensive group of joint prevention and control mechanism in the State Council decided to promote the monitoring mode of "antigen screening and nucleic acid diagnosis", adding antigen detection as a supplement on the basis of nucleic acid detection. Recently, the Mechanism Comprehensive Group has formulated and issued the "COVID-19 Antigen Testing Application Plan", which requires all localities to seriously organize and implement it.

The "Program" stipulates the applicable population for antigen testing: First, people who go to primary medical and health institutions and have symptoms such as respiratory tract and fever and appear symptoms within 5 days; Second, isolated observers, including home isolated observers, close contacts and sub-close contacts, entry isolated observers, closed control areas and personnel in control areas; Third, the community residents who need antigen self-test. At the same time, the main conditions that should be met for antigen detection of three groups of people and the channels for obtaining detection reagents were clarified, and the disposal management process after detection was found positive was formulated to promote the connection between antigen detection and nucleic acid detection. In order to facilitate standardized testing in various places, the scheme also includes two annexes, namely, Basic Requirements and Procedures for Antigen Testing in Primary Health Care Institutions in COVID-19 and Basic Requirements and Procedures for Antigen Self-test in COVID-19.

It should be noted that nucleic acid detection is still the basis for the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, and antigen detection, as an auxiliary means, can be used for screening specific populations, which is conducive to improving the ability of "early detection". Primary medical and health institutions have the ability to detect nucleic acids, which should be the first choice; Those who do not have the ability of nucleic acid detection can carry out antigen detection, and do a good job in training medical personnel and communicating and guiding patients. Isolation observers and community residents should carefully read the instructions and standardize the operation, and report to the relevant departments immediately once the antigen test is positive; If necessary, carry out nucleic acid testing to confirm.