Nghe An: SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kits are in high demand.

Since the pandemicCovid-19With the widespread outbreak, the Ministry of Health has licensed many types of SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid tests, both domestically produced and imported from various countries around the world, for circulation. In Nghe An province, since the implementation of the "new normal" state, especially after the resurgence of the disease following the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Tiger, many people have independently sought out and purchased rapid test kits to check their families.

Ms. Tran Thi Mai, residing in Hung Dung (Vinh City), said: Since returning to the "new normal," she has bought a box of 25 rapid test kits for family use. Whenever she travels, comes into contact with many people, or shows signs of a cold or fever, she takes out a rapid test kit to check for any signs of infection.infectedThen it would also be possible to respond promptly.

People have been buying SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kits to test themselves. Photo: Tien Dong

A survey of several medical equipment stores in Vinh City revealed that although many types of SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kits are licensed for sale, most stores only sell those manufactured in China and South Korea because they are more affordable.

Some establishments also reported that the rapid test using nasopharyngeal swabs (requiring a nasal swab) is currently more popular among consumers. Meanwhile, some types of rapid saliva tests, due to their lack of quality verification, are mostly sold online and are not yet stocked in any stores.

A medical equipment business owner on Nguyen Phong Sac Street said: Currently, the business only sells rapid test kits manufactured in China and South Korea. The retail price for a box of 25 test kits ranges from 1.5 million to 2 million VND, while wholesale prices range from 1.375 million to 1.625 million VND.

Besides individual customers who buy individual kits to test themselves after suspecting they may have Covid-19 or after being in crowded places, some large businesses are also buying in bulk to test their employees before they return to work after the Lunar New Year holiday. However, many businesses affirm that despite the high demand, there is no shortage or stockouts.

However, according to many, the price of each SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kit remains quite high in the context of an economy affected by the pandemic. With results only available for a short time, and the pandemic potentially lasting for an extended period, continuous use just to check for COVID-19 infection would be very costly.

Test kits from China and South Korea are available on the market. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tai, Head of the Pharmaceutical Department of the Nghe An Department of Health, said: Currently, the Ministry of Health has licensed many types of rapid tests to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These tests are quickly becoming available on the market so that people can buy them to test themselves. The accuracy level depends on the type of test and on the sampling technique of each individual.

According to many health experts, the most accurate results for SARS-CoV-2 rapid tests are currently for individuals who have symptoms suspected of being COVID-19, such as cough, fever, loss of taste, and fatigue, 2-7 days after infection. For cases infected after 7 days (when the viral load is lower), or those who have only recently been in contact with an infected or suspected case, the accuracy of rapid tests is lower, making it difficult to detect positive cases.SARS-CoV-2To obtain accurate rapid test results, first and foremost, you need to choose and purchase the correct type of SARS-CoV-2 viral antigen rapid test that has been licensed by the Ministry of Health.

According to our research, currently, SARS-CoV-2 test kits intended for import, distribution, and use in Vietnam must be evaluated and licensed by the Ministry of Health in accordance with the regulations in Circular No. 47/2010/TT-BYT. Furthermore, these products belong to the high-risk group (categories C and D), so all buying, selling, and trading of SARS-CoV-2 test kits must meet the requirements of the health sector regarding personnel, storage conditions, and transportation.

To date, more than 50 types of rapid SARS-CoV-2 test kits have been licensed for circulation by the Ministry of Health. However, to ensure accurate results, people need to carefully consider and choose to buy quality test kits, because otherwise, they may give inaccurate results. This not only wastes money but also poses a risk of spreading the disease to the community if people trust these inaccurate results.