South Korea widens public usage of COVID-19 self-test kits amid surge in cases
23 April, 2021
South Korea on Friday (Apr 23) granted conditional approval to allow the general public to use two coronavirus self-test kits for the very first time, as a surge in infections rekindled calls to intensify testing.
The decision comes as South Korea grapples with a nationwide rise in cluster infections, spurring authorities to urge tougher enforcement of distancing rules to avert a fourth wave of the pandemic.
The makers of the kits, SD Biosensor and Humasis Co, were given three months to provide further clinical trial data on self-testing as a condition of the approval, the drug safety ministry said in a statement.
Although the products have already been available in Europe since last year, South Korea had limited their use to medical specialists.
The kits could yield results within about a quarter-hour, but with an accuracy of 90 per cent, the ministry added, versus the 98 % proven for industry-standard PCR tests and specialist-administered rapid tests.
"Despite the dissimilarities in accuracy, there is a have to use those kits as a supplementary tool," Acting Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki told a daily meeting on virus fighting efforts.
"If PCR tests offer microscopic examinations with almost 100 per cent accuracy, self-test kits could be compared to results made out of naked eyes."
Health authorities have warned that the kits have a larger opportunity of false negatives if handled by non-professionals, since a higher viral load in the nasal passageways is often essential for a reliable result.
But officials have expressed positive views in recent weeks about allowing limited use, amid fears of a potential fourth wave.
Some local government chiefs have urged their use in homes, restaurants, shops and places of worship as an instant and easy way to discover possible infections.
Thursday's 797 new infections reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were the best since Jan 7, when the 3rd wave commenced to abate following the daily figure topped 1,200 in late December.
The nationwide tally stands at 117,458 infections, with 1,811 deaths.
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