You can now do a swab test at home! Where can you buy a Covid-19 self-test kit? Can kids use them? Here’s what you should know about DIY Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits available for purchase from 16 June
When the Prime Minister announced that we would be slowly transitioning to Phase 3 (Heightened Alert), we heaved a sigh of relief! While we’re excited to go back to dining-in (from 21 June) and gathering in groups of five again, PM Lee also mentioned the ramping up of Covid-19 vaccination (even for teens 12 yrs – 15 yrs old) and the availability of DIY Covid-19 test kits in retail pharmacies as of 16 June 2021. So what are these Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits, how do we use them and can our kids do the test?
Where can I buy the DIY Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits?
- The Abbott PanBio COVID-19 Antigen Self-test
- QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test
- SD Biosensor SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self-Test Nasal
- SD Biosensor Standard Q COVID-19 Ag Home Test
These are the four Covid-19 ART self-test kits that are now available at Unity, Watsons and Guardian outlets which have in-store pharmacies. You do not need a doctor’s prescription, but you will have to consult a pharmacist before purchasing them.
How much do the DIY Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits cost?
Covid-19 ART self-test kits are priced from $10 to $13. Purchases are currently limited to 10 kits per person.
When should I use the DIY Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kits?
If you suspect that you have been exposed to Covid-19 or have just been in a crowded area, you can choose to take the Covid-19 self-test kit. If you have any acute respiratory infection symptoms or other Covid-19 symptoms, you should go to the doctor immediately.
Read more: Do I Have a Cold, Flu, Allergies or Covid-19?
How do I use the Covid-19 ART self-test kits?
We’re advised to strictly follow the instructions given in each Covid-19 self-test kit in order to get the most accurate results. While these kits have only an 80% accuracy rate (just because you test negative doesn’t mean you don’t have Covid-19) the tests can be just as sensitive as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test when done properly. PCR tests are currently the most accurate tests for detecting Covid-19.
If you do test positive, however, the Ministry of Health has advised that you should immediately head to a Swab and Send Home Public Health Preparedness Clinic (SASH PHPC) to confirm whether you’ve been infected by taking a PCR test. Search for a SASH PHPC near you here.
How far up the nose does the Covid-19 ART self-test kit go?
According to Today, the cotton swab only needs to go about 2cm deep, making sure it touches the anterior nares. Watch the video from CNA below to see the test kits in action:
Can the Covid-19 ART self-test kits be used on children?
It is our understanding that the Covid-19 ART self-test kits are safe for children from 2 years old onwards. If your kids are aged 2 to 14 years old, you’re advised to help them conduct the Covid-19 ART self-test. Teens above 14 years old can conduct the test under close adult supervision, according to Roche.
Read More: Teens Aged 12 to 15 Can Now Get Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine in Singapore