SINGAPORE - Do-it-yourself Covid-19 test kits will be a useful tool in Singapore's arsenal to fight the coronavirus as these are quick and convenient to use, said experts on Wednesday (June 2).
But they also flagged potential areas of concern like the under-declaring of results, with one expert suggesting that the authorities regulate such kits and integrate them into government health systems.
These kits, which are already in use in places such as South Korea, the United States and Europe, will be available at pharmacies in Singapore soon, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday. He added that they will be simple to use and not as uncomfortable as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
DIY tests work like the antigen rapid tests (ART), which are used heavily for pre-event testing. They return results in about 30 minutes, but are less accurate than a PCR test which usually takes a day or two to process.
The Health Ministry told The Straits Times it is currently in discussion with relevant agencies and partners to bring in over-the-counter ART kits, and will provide more information when ready.
Infectious diseases expert Paul Tambyah, who is president of the Asia-Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, said these test kits are useful because they can be used at home or if there is a need to travel somewhere in an emergency and a regular PCR test or ART cannot be done.
"These are essentially stripped-down ART tests... Many US airlines accept home test results. Companies can also get their employees to do them on a regular basis until vaccinations are completed," he said.
Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist from the Rophi Clinic, said the test will be simple to administer - almost like a pregnancy test kit.
"It is much cheaper, at a cost price of $15 to $20 per day. It takes away the complexity of testing, giving the power to the consumers," he added.
In comparison, a PCR test costs roughly between $150 and $200, while an ART costs as low as $10.
The convenience these kits offer makes them good for the likes of businesses which want to reassure their customers and high-risk workers who wish to give their families peace of mind, said Dr Ling Li Min, an infectious diseases physician from Rophi Clinic.
But there are several risks to DIY kits, including the possibility that they could produce false results if administered incorrectly.
Dr Ling highlighted the risk of showing false negatives. "This means infected people may think they are virus-free, especially if they have yet to have symptoms," she said, adding they could be spreading the disease unknowingly.
The experts agreed that the results of such tests have to be carefully interpreted. Professor Tambyah said they could also show a false positive, so a confirmatory PCR test - the gold standard in Covid-19 testing - is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
They also noted that not declaring a positive DIY test result could be dangerous, given how it would mean that infectious people could be spreading the disease.
Prof Tambyah suggested regulating the sale of such kits in pharmacies, and integrating them into Singapore's national gateway to citizens' medical records, prescriptions and clinic appointments.
"The loop could be closed between purchase of a kit and report of the results before the kit expires," he said.
In India, users of the CoviSelf DIY test kit have to download an app to use the kit. This app is synced with the results of the test, which are directly fed into a report on the Indian Council of Medical Research's portal.
On the point that some might fear reporting their positive test result for fear of discrimination or a reluctance to be admitted to the hospital, Dr Leong said the stigma surrounding Covid-19 should be addressed to encourage people to seek medical help if needed.
He and Prof Tambyah drew parallels to how some patients with the human immuno-deficiency virus might hide the status of their health.
"There is a need to clear the stigma. Being positive for Covid-19 does not mean anything, but some people might face the stigma," said Dr Leong.
The test does not replace seeking medical attention if one is ill, said the experts, who stressed that anyone who is ill or is displaying symptoms of the disease should see a doctor.
