THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state health ministry has withdrawn the antigen kits being used in the state on the suspicion that they are of low quality. The kits manufactured by Alpine company has been called back by the health ministry. The move comes as most of the samples tested using these kits has turned positive.

Thirty per cent more than samples tested using these test kits turned out to be positive. This made the authorities sceptical about the quality of the antigen test kits. The health ministry has also given directions to enhance PCR testing.