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

Since the translationCovid-19With the widespread outbreak, the Ministry of Health has licensed many types of rapid SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen tests produced domestically and imported from many countries around the world to be circulated. In Nghe An, since the implementation of the "new normal" state, especially when the epidemic broke out again after the Lunar New Year of Nham Dan, many people have gone out to buy rapid test kits to test for their families.

Ms. Tran Thi Mai, residing in Hung Dung (Vinh City) said: Since returning to the "new normal" state, she has bought a box of 25 rapid test kits for use at home. Whenever she travels far away, comes into contact with many people, or has signs of a cold or fever, she takes out a rapid test to check ifinfectedcan also respond promptly.

People have gone to buy rapid test kits for SARS-CoV-2 virus to test themselves. Photo: Tien Dong

Surveying a number of medical equipment stores in Vinh City, we found that although there are many types of SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kits licensed for circulation, most stores only sell the types made in China and Korea because they are affordable.

Some facilities also said that currently, the rapid test by taking nasopharyngeal fluid (must be swabbed) is more popular among people. Meanwhile, some rapid tests using saliva have not been verified for quality so they are almost only sold online and no stores have imported them.

An owner of a medical equipment business on Nguyen Phong Sac Street said: Currently, the facility only sells rapid tests made in China and Korea. The retail price of each box of 25 test kits ranges from 1.5 million VND to 2 million VND. If bought wholesale, the price ranges from 1.375 million VND to 1.625 million VND.

In addition to individual customers buying individual kits to test after being suspected of being infected with Covid-19, or after being exposed to crowded places, some large enterprises also buy in bulk to test their workers before returning to work after the Tet holiday. However, many businesses affirm that despite the high demand, there is no shortage of goods or out of stock.

However, according to many people, the selling price of each rapid test kit for SARS-CoV-2 virus is still quite high in the context of the economy being affected by the pandemic. With results only being available in a short time, while the epidemic situation may have to last, if you have to use it continuously just to check whether you have Covid-19 or not, the cost will be very expensive.

Chinese and Korean test kits are sold on the market. Photo: Tien Dong

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

According to the recommendations of many health experts, currently the rapid test results for SARS-CoV-2 virus give the most accurate rate for cases with suspected Covid-19 symptoms such as cough, fever, loss of taste, body fatigue... after being infected with the virus for 2-7 days. As for cases infected after 7 days (the virus concentration is lower), or have just been in contact with an infected or suspected person, the accuracy of the rapid test is not high, making it difficult to detect people who are positive forSARS-CoV-2To get accurate rapid test results, first of all, it is necessary to choose to buy the right type of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test licensed by the Ministry of Health.

According to our research, currently, SARS-CoV-2 test kits that want to be imported, circulated and used in Vietnam must be assessed and licensed by the Ministry of Health according to the regulations in Circular No. 47/2010/TT-BYT. Furthermore, these products belong to the high-risk group (type C, D), so all activities of buying, selling and trading SARS-CoV-2 test kits must meet the requirements of the health sector regarding personnel, storage conditions, and means of transportation.

To date, there have been more than 50 types of SARS-CoV-2 rapid test licensed by the Ministry of Health. However, to ensure accurate results, people need to carefully consider and choose to buy quality tests, because otherwise, they will give incorrect results. Thus, not only will you lose money, but if you trust these results, you also have the potential to spread and infect the community.