Salixium and Gmate rapid antigen kits allow individuals to self-screen for Covid-19 at a price of less than RM40 and get results immediately. — Picture from SoyaCincau
Kuala Lumpur, July 20 — The Ministry of Health (MoH) has just conditionally approved two Covid-19 self-check kits for import and distribution. This is done through the Medical Device Administration (MDA), which is an organization of the Ministry of Health responsible for implementing medical device regulations and medical device registration.
These rapid antigen kits allow individuals to self-screen for Covid-19 at a price of less than RM40 and get results immediately. The two kits are:
Salixium is the first Covid-19 rapid antigen test kit made in Malaysia. MyMedKad claims that it is the only self-test kit integrated with MySejahtera currently available to the public.
Please note that if the antigen concentration is too low or the sample is not collected properly, the Rapid Antigen Kit (RTK-Ag) may produce false negative results. Therefore, these tests should only be used for immediate screening.
To perform confirmation tests, RT-PCR tests must be performed in clinics and health laboratories. The RT-PCR test usually costs about RM190-240, and the result may take about 24 hours.
According to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, the RTK-Ag test is considered a screening test, and RT-PCR should be used as a confirmatory test to define Covid-19 cases. However, in some cases, RTK-Ag can be used as a confirmatory test where there are confirmed Covid-19 clusters or outbreaks or areas determined by the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Center (CPRC).
Salixium is an RTK antigen test that uses saliva and nasal samples to detect the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen. Don’t panic, because the nasal sample does not require you to be as deep as a PCR test. You only need to gently wipe 2 cm above the nostril.
Salixium has a sensitivity of 91.23% and a specificity of 100%. What does it mean? Sensitivity measures how often the test correctly produces positive results, while specificity measures how often the test correctly produces negative results.
First, tear off the sealing strip on the extraction buffer tube and place the tube on a rack. Then, remove a disposable cotton swab from the sterile packaging and wipe the inside of the left cheek at least five times with the cotton swab. Use the same cotton swab to do the same thing on your right cheek and wipe it five times on your mouth. Put the cotton swab in the test tube.
Take another disposable cotton swab out of the package and avoid touching any surface or object with the tip of the cotton swab, including your own hands. Only gently insert the fabric tip of the cotton swab into one nostril until you feel a slight resistance (approximately 2 cm upward). Roll the cotton swab on the inside of the nostril and make 5 complete circles.
Repeat the same procedure for the other nostril using the same cotton swab. It may feel a little uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. After this, put the second swab into the tube.
Dip the swab head completely and vigorously into the extraction buffer and mix. Squeeze the liquid from the two swabs to keep as much solution as possible in the tube, then discard the swabs in the waste bag provided. Then, cover the tube with a dripper and mix thoroughly.
Gently tear open the bag and take out the test box. Place it on a clean, flat work surface and label it with the sample name. Then, add two drops of sample solution to the sample well to ensure that there are no bubbles. The sample will begin to wick on the membrane.
Read the results within 10-15 minutes. They will be displayed with lines next to the letters C and T. Do not read the results after 15 minutes, as this may cause inaccurate results
If you see a red line next to “C” and a line next to “T” (even though it has faded), your result is positive.
If you don’t see the red line next to “C”, the result is invalid, even if you see the content next to “T”. If this happens, you must perform another test to get the correct result.
Salixium is priced at RM39.90, and you can buy it at registered community pharmacies and medical institutions. It is now available for pre-order at MeDKAD for RM39.90, and the kit will be shipped on July 21. It can also be used on DoctorOnCall.
The Gmate test is also an RTK antigen test, but it uses only saliva samples to detect the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen.
Gmate has a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 100%, which means that it has an accuracy of 90.9% when it produces a positive result and 100% when it produces a negative result.
The Gmate test requires only five steps, but you must rinse your mouth with water first. You should not eat, drink or smoke 30 minutes before the test.
Peel off the seal and connect the funnel to the reagent container. Spit your saliva until it reaches at least 1/4 of the reagent container. Remove the funnel and place the lid on the reagent container.
Squeeze the container 20 times and shake 20 times to mix. Connect the reagent container to the box and leave it for 5 minutes.
The results are the same as those using Salixium. If you only see a red line next to “C”, your result is negative.
If you see a red line next to “C” and a line next to “T” (even though it has faded), your result is positive.
If you don’t see the red line next to “C”, the result is invalid, even if you see the content next to “T”. If this happens, you must perform another test to get the correct result.
The official price of Gmate is RM39.90, and it can also be purchased at registered community pharmacies and medical institutions. The test kit can be purchased online through AlPro Pharmacy and DoctorOnCall.
If you are positive, you must report to the Ministry of Health through MySejahtera. Just open the app, go to the main screen and click HelpDesk. Select “F. I have a positive reaction to Covid-19 and want to report my results”.
After filling in your personal details, you can choose which test to perform (RTK antigen nasopharyngeal or RTK antigen saliva). You also need to attach a photo of the test result.
If your result is negative, you must continue to follow the SOP, including wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. — SoyaCincau
Post time: Jul-26-2021