South Korea considers use of COVID-19 self-test kits
South Korea’s health authorities said on Tuesday they would consider the use of COVID-19 self-test kits amid fourth wave fears, despite their relatively low accuracy.
The government had been reluctant to allow self-test kits, citing their lower accuracy than industry-standard PCR tests and specialist-administered rapid tests which are already in place.
Some local government chiefs and experts have highlighted the need for the use of self-test kits as a supplementary tool in recent weeks amid fears of a potential fourth wave of outbreaks of COVID-19.
The mayor of the capital Seoul following last week’s special election, Oh Se-hoon, called on the drug safety ministry to approve the kits to be used at homes, restaurants, shops and religious facilities as a quick and easy device to detect possible infections.
Oh Se-hoon said at a cabinet meeting, “It is burdensome to maintain the anti-virus system as it is. We need to try new ideas and change our way of thinking.
“I urge the drug safety ministry to grant approval for the use of self-test kits in the near future.”
Drug Safety Minister Kim Gang-lip said the kits might be helpful if used on a limited basis, but the current rules allow products with 90% accuracy compared with 98% accuracy proven by PCR tests.
“I expect to make good use of the kits which have a positive aspect as a supplementary tool.if you bear their side effect in mind sufficiently,” he added.
Authorities to reimpose a ban on nightclubs, karaoke bars and other nightly entertainment facilities, which came into effect on Monday.
The discussions came as a result of the struggles with a surge in cluster infections, mostly in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Total infections in South Korea stand at 110,688 since the pandemic began, with 1,775 deaths.
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