The exponential rise in the most recent COVID wave that has hit the nation is palpable. With growing concerns amongst the public about the high infection rates of the new Omicron variant, the first thought that troubles anyone who’s ever at risk of infection or who simply wants to get tested for precaution's sake is: How do I take the test at home?
With limited information dispensed on the validity and availability of home-testing kits , the general query that surrounds the availability of such home testing kits and their use is their accuracy and effectiveness. Currently the Nepal government has approved the use of one self-testing kit available in the market, “Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing)” should now be available at pharmacies around the nation to test for the virus.
The vaccine available in hand-sized boxes consist of a nasal disposable swab, test cassette, extraction buffer tube, waste bag and a tube holder. To administer this test, one must first sanitize their hands, then after opening up the package and taking all of its contents out are to remove the foil covering the buffer tube place it on the box then proceed to swab the upper level of one's nose, after the swab with the specimen is to be inserted into this tube and wired around for 30s, then the tube with the culture medium is to be dropped onto the testing cassette at the box that is marked “S”.
After leaving this test for 15 minutes the results of the test can be viewed. If there is a single line adjacent to the T, the test is invalid is there's a single line adjacent to the “C” the test is negative and one doesn't have COVID, if there are double lines one on the “C” and the other on the “T” then the result is positive and the person must immediately isolate and seek medical assistance form the nearest facility.
Speaking of the validity of the test, a doctor remarks, “The test is pretty reliable the home testing kit if it yields in a positive result then the person must believe he/she has COVID and seek medical help that is irrefutable, however if negative the chance of the person having COVID is greatly diminished but never 0. Hence, it is a more accurate gauge for having COVID than one for not having it.”
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