March 10, 2022
On March 9, 2022, WHO published its own COVID-19 Test Guide. This guidance is motivated by the realization that timely and accurate diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 is an essential part of a comprehensive COVID-19 response strategy.
Rapid tests to detect the SARS-CoV-2 antigen can be carried out by individuals where they collect their own specimens, perform a simple rapid test and interpret their test results themselves at a time and place of their choosing, which is called a COVID-19 self-test.
This interim guidance provides a new recommendation that COVID-19 self-testing, using rapid tests to detect the SARS-CoV-2 antigen, should be offered as part of the SARS-CoV-2 testing service. It also includes implementation considerations that can guide decisions about whether, and how, to adopt self-testing in different contexts, including prioritized populations; prevalence of disease in the population; and impact on accessibility of testing, health care services and reporting of results.
Download the complete document at the following link:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Ag-RDTs-Self_testing-2022.1
The Peduli Hati Bangsa Foundation is involved in a “Multi-country study of values and preferences on self-testing for COVID-19 using rapid tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 antigen” which can be downloaded from the following link:
Source: Use of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 self-testing