Explainer | Coronavirus Hong Kong: authorities to rely on self-test kits to confirm infections. But just how accurate are they?
- Department of Health says only six rapid antigen tests have been approved by its Medical Device Division
- Positive results from kits to be treated as confirmed coronavirus infections upon registering with the government
The Hong Kong government has begun relying on self-test kits to diagnose coronavirus cases to help clear the daily backlog of positive samples awaiting confirmation by health authorities.
The new testing strategy means that people who return positive results via a rapid test will be treated as confirmed cases immediately upon registering the information online with the government.
Here’s what you need to know about the changes in testing policies and how to choose a rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.
What are the changes to the city’s new testing strategy?
Most people subject to compulsory testing can now use a RAT kit at home instead of lining up at community testing centres or using a specimen bottle for saliva samples.
However, those with a high risk of exposure, such as airport or quarantine centre workers, will still be required to take a nucleic acid test.
The new arrangement means test results from private labs will no longer require further confirmation from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP).