How to use the COVID-19 testing kit

Using the COVID-19 testing kit, you can check if a person is sick within 15 minutes. This is practiced, for example, in face-to-face business meetings.

There are various brands of tests, for example:

• HIP BIOtech COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Antigen Test Kit
• Singclean COVID-19 Test Kit (Colloidal Gold Method)
• Seinofy. COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test

Their essence is quite similar.

• The set includes a stick for taking the specimen.
• Container with liquid
• Flask for flushing the specimen into liquid
• Test card on which liquid is dripped and which shows the results (strips).

I will explain briefly, if there are any questions, I have attached a video instruction, as well as a translation of the original instruction.

The test kit should be kept refrigerated. Wait until they are at room temperature before using them, otherwise the test may not be accurate.

So, you need to start by taking a sample. For this, a cotton swab is included. The instruction implies that you need to take a sample first from the nose, then from the mouth. This is how they took the test from me, but this is definitely not done with the same cotton swab!!! And only one stick comes with my testing kit.

Other instructions say to take samples from two nostrils.

I don't know how it's right, but nurses in Thailand take a sample from one nostril and that's enough for them.

The stick should be inserted into the nostril by 1-1.5 cm and slowly rotated in a circle inside the nostril at least 4 times and left in place for 10-15 seconds. I have a slight discharge in my nose from this procedure. The procedure is unpleasant, but nothing terrible.

The test sample can be used within an hour.

After that, you need to pour the liquid into the flask – perhaps it was worth starting with this.

Completely immerse the swab tip into the sample extraction solution and mix the solution by rotating the swab forcefully against the side of the tube at least 10 times. While pressing the stick against the wall of the test tube, squeeze the sample out of it as far as possible.

In theory, the stick with the sample should then be placed in a biohazard bag, but there is no such bag in my kit.

The flask comes with a cap with a dropper. Close the lid and mix the sample.

Then remove the test card and put 3 drops of the specimen into the sample well on the card.

Valid test results will be available in 15-20 minutes. Results before or after this time are not considered valid.

Interpretation of results:

• One band C – the result is negative, the tested person is healthy
• Two bands C and T – the result is positive, the person being tested is sick with coronavirus-19
• No bands or one T band – test invalid

Video instruction on how to use the COVID-19 kit

Translation of the official instructions for using the COVID-19 kit

STORAGE AND STABILITY

1. Kits shall be stored at 2°C-30°C In a cool, dark, and dry place, valid refer to expiry date. Kits is not recommended to be stored under 2°C, and expired products shall NOT be used.

2. The test card should be in aluminum foil pouch before opening and used within 1 hour in the specified environment (temperature 2°C-35°C, humidity 40%~60%) after opening.

3. The buffer should be used immediately after dropping into the dropper.

4. MFD date and EXP date: marked on the label.

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS

1. Anterior Nasal Swab Sample:

To collect an anterior nasal swab. Insert the swab about 1 cm (0.5 inch) to 1.5 cm (¾ of an inch) into the nostril, and firmly sample the nasal membrane by slowly rotating the swab in a circular path against the inside of your nostril at least 4 times and leaving in place for 10 to 15 seconds. Be sure to collect any nasal drainage that may be present on the swab. Gently remove the swab, and sample the other nostril with the same swab as described above.

2. Posterior oropharyngeal saliva:

To collect a posterior oropharyngeal saliva sample, carefully Insert the swab completely into the oropharyngeal swelling, centering on the red part of the throat wall, upper jaw, and tonsils, wipe and rotate 3 times with moderate force, and remove the swab avoid touching the tongue.

3. The samples should be used as soon as possible after collection. The samples can keep stable within 1 hour before mixing with sample extraction solution provided with the kit, once mixed with the sample extraction solution, they can cause the virus to become unstable, so no matter how long they are stored before mixing, It should be used within 30 minutes after mixing.

4. Samples should not be Inactivated.

TEST PROCEDURE

NOTE: Do not open the pouch until you are ready to perform a test, and the single-use test is suggested to be used under low humidity (RH≤60%) environment within 1 hour. Allow all kit components and specimens to roach room temperature between 15°C~30°C prior to testing. Identify the test card for each specimen and paste the ID number of tested person on the blank area on the shell of the test card, and the tester can create the corresponding record files on pater.

Sample processing

Elute swab with Sample extraction solution

1a. When the specification of sample extraction solution is 500μL, twist off the tip of the sample extraction solution (a), and squeeze all the solution into an extraction tube (b).

1b. When the specification of sample extraction solution is 20mL, add 500μL (-15 drops) of sample extraction solution into the extraction tube (c)

2. Completely immerse the swab tip into the sample extraction solution and mix the solution by rotating the swab forcefully against the side of the tube at least 10 times (d) Squeeze the tube 5 times by hand to ensure that the sample on the swab is fully eluted into the sample extraction solution (e).

3. Squeeze the swab tip along the inner wall of the extraction tube to keep the liquid In the tube as much as possible. Discard the swab and cover the dripper head to mix the liquid thoroughly (f).

Test operation

Before performing the test, you must read the instruction manual of the product carefully, and please allow the test cards and sample extraction solution to equilibrate at room temperature (15°C-30°C) before the test. Do not perform the test until the reagents were equilibrated to room temperature to avoid affecting the accuracy of the test results.

1. Remove the test card from the foil pouch and place on a dean and dry surface. Dispense 80μL (3 drops) of the specimen into the sample well on the card (g).

2. Interpret the test results at 15-20 minutes. Do not interpret the results after 20 minutes.

3. Discard used test tubes and test cards In suitable biohazards waste container:

INTERPRETATION OF TEST RESULTS

Positive: Both purplish test band and purplish control band appear on the membrane. Negative: Only the purplish control band appears on the membrane. The absence of a test band Indicates a negative result

Invalid: There should always be a purplish control band in the control region regardless of test result If the control band is not seen, it indicates an incorrect operation process, that the kit has deteriorated or damaged, or the antigen content in the specimen is too high. In this case, read the Instructions carefully again and dilute the sample to retest with a new test card. If the problem persists, stop using the product of this lot Immediately and contact your local supplier.

Note: The purplish band In the test region (T) can show different color shades. However, within the specified observation time, regardless of the color of the test band, even a very weak(light) band should be judged as a positive result The purplish band In the control region (C) can show different color shades. However, within the specified observation time, regardless of the color of the control band, even a very weak (light) band should be judged as that the test card is valid.

Seinofy. COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test