Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approved a Rapid Antigen testing kit and provided guidelines and advisory for its users. This is what you need to know about the covid home test kit:
CoviSelf, a Rapid Antigen test manufactured by MyLab Discovery Solutions Ltd in Pune. The kit is likely to be available for purchase in a week. Increasing testing capacity and making it available for use at home will effectively increase the testing rates. They will be available at 250 INR, according to a report by the Hindustan Times.
What is a Rapid Antigen Test?
A Rapid antigen test(RAT) helps to detect viral proteins or antigens in the test sample. If the virus’ antigens are present, they bind to antibodies in the covid home test kit and give a visible signal for covid positive.
Do you qualify for a COVID home test?
As per the guidelines released by ICMR, one should use the COVID home test kit only if they are symptomatic or have been primary contacts of people who tested positive in a laboratory test.
“Home testing by RAT is advised only in symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases. Indiscriminate testing is not advised,” stated ICMR.
This means that if you are symptomatic and get a negative result by RAT get an RT-PCR test.
How to use the COVID home test kit?
The kit contains a pre-filled extraction tube, test card, sterile nasal swab, and a biohazard bag. Here’s how to use it:
- Download the Mylab CoviSelf app from the play store or app store.
- Open the nasal swab without touching the swab head.
- Dip the swab in the pre-filled extraction tube, pinch it at the bottom and swirl your nasal swab ten times. Immerse it properly in the buffer.
- Follow the guidelines and video on the mobile app for sample collection.
- Add three drops of the extraction antigen into the sample well and wait.
- Wait for the test results. The results should be visible in 10-15 minutes. Note the test results within 20 minutes and upload the test result on the app.
The data uploaded will be in the ICMR COVID-19 testing portal. This will reduce pressure on testing centers during the second and third waves.