The city’s fifth pandemic wave has put Hong Kong’s public healthcare system under immense pressure with overcrowded hospitals and overstretched healthcare workers. If you’re showing preliminary symptoms but are hesitant to visit testing centres, you may want to consider purchasing a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kit to get your results as quickly as within 10 minutes. Here’s a quick guide on what you need to know, deets on some of the self-testing kits that are available on the market right now, as well as where they can be purchased via online stores such as Mannings, Pricerite, ParknShop and more.
Please check with individual outlets for the latest availability of different kits.
RECOMMENDED: Stay up to date with Hong Kong’s current social distancing regulations.
Rapid Antigen Tests are designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus proteins (antigens) in our respiratory system and thus help with early detection of Covid-19 for users. However, it is important to note that RATs should only be used as a reference and not as a replacement for standard nucleic acid tests. Click here for more info about RAT as well as how to perform and read the tests.
According to the World Health Organisation, self-testing kits should "have a minimum sensitivity of 80 percent and specificity of 97 percent."
Click here to read our thorough guide on what to do when you've tested positive.
In addition to designing 3D medical masks, medical supplies brand Banitore has also launched its own self-testing kits. The Bandi Check SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Detection Kit is listed in the EU's common list of Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Tests approved by the Health Security Committee and can detect both the Delta and Omicron variant with results available in 10 to 15 minutes.
Check parknshop.com, home-plus.hk, Watsons, and Ztore for availability.
Aside from manufacturing masks, local medical supplies company SkyPro has also released a self-testing kit that claims to have a high detectability with an accuracy of 99 percent and a specificity of 100 percent. Having received EU CE and EN ISO certification, the product is said to deliver your results in just 15 minutes.
Check HKTVMall, KKday, 3Mall, HGCmore, and Smallmarket for availability.
Used by numerous health authorities in Hong Kong, the Hecin 2019-nCoV Antigen Test Kit is certified by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and has obtained the EU CE certification. Test results are available in around 15 minutes.
Check k-clean.com.hk for availability.
Pharmaceutical supplier ProcureNet partners with local health and beauty retail chain Mannings to roll out the Medriva Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test. Claiming to be one of the most effective test kits on the market with a rate of 95 percent sensitivity and 99 percent specificity, the tests promise to deliver results within 10 minutes.
A total of four million dollar’s worth of RAT kits were also donated by the company to local NGOs, such as The Community Chest of Hong Kong, Caritas Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Red Cross and Pok Oi Hospital, to be distributed to communities in need as well as the front-line medical staff. Moreover, the company plans to extend its production capacity of 60 million test kits, making them available on platforms such as Amazon, HKTVMall and various Hong Kong pharmacies.
Check Mannings' online platform or store locations in Hong Kong for availability.
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