Citizens can now administer their own COVID-19 tests, says Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony.
COVID-19 self-tests are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking, and physical distancing, that protect persons by reducing the chances of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Self-tests can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.
Health facilities have been given the greenlight to import self-test kits, which can provide results within 15 minutes.
“Right now in Guyana, we are introducing that, and there are some people who would buy the kits and follow the guidance but it is not widespread and therefore we don’t see a big challenge,” Dr Anthony said.
Those who test positive are obligated to report to the authorities to be documented in the surveillance system.
Guyana Standard understands that the kits do not replace the PCR or the antigen required for travel.
Several self-test kits on the market include: Mylab Discovery’s Coviself (Pathocatch) COVID-19 OTC Antigen LF device; Abbott Rapid’s Panbio COVID-19 Antigen rapid test device; Meril Diagnostics’ CoviFind COVID-19 Rapid Antigen self test; Angstrom Biotech’s Angtech COVID-19 home test kit; Healgen Scientific Limited’s CliniTest COVID-19 Antigen self test; SD Biosensor Healthcare’s ULTRA Covi-Catch SARS-CoV-2 home test; and Nulife Care’s AbCheck Rapid Antigen self-test.
