Self-tests will play a key role in the new coronavirus testing strategy. Here you will find answers to the most important questions about the tests.
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How much will a self-test cost?
That has not yet been finished politically. The government is considering giving a number of self-tests for free, but the price tag is quickly increasing: up to 75 million euros to give everyone two self-tests for one week. Therefore, it seems more likely that the government will let the free market play. ‘Prices have already fallen enormously,’ says Herman Goossens. ‘They fluctuate between 2 and 10 euros. All options are still being considered. ‘
Where will they be sold?
Initially, perhaps only in the pharmacy, because the government wants to inform the population sufficiently about correct use. After a running-in period, supermarkets could also distribute them. The government still has to make the self-tests available on the Belgian market. ‘The Medicines Agency FAMHP took the necessary steps to achieve this this week,’ says Goossens.
What if you test positive?
Do you have to notify the doctor? Or the government call centers? And do you have to have all family members tested immediately? No decisions have been made about that either. ‘A positive result should at least be registered,’ says Goossens.
Also to be decided: should a PCR test confirm the result? ‘I recommend that,’ says Goossens, ‘but a PCR test can also fail. Suppose the self-test is positive and the PCR-test is negative: what then? ‘
What in the elderly?
The self-tests are in principle easy to use (see infographic), but according to research not always for older people. The test may feel uncomfortable and the dash is sometimes difficult to read. Goossens also sees a role for pharmacies there. ‘They can also be a solution for other vulnerable groups.’ A pilot project will soon be starting in Brussels: pharmacies will offer a self-test on site to people with complaints. If the result is positive, pharmacists should still refer them to a general practitioner.
And the other tests?
The governments have already bought several million rapid tests to be performed by a healthcare provider. That was not a great success for the time being.
The massively purchased serological tests, which detect antibodies in the blood, are in principle still useless. They indicate whether someone has already been infected, but are useless for acute investigations.
Much is still expected from the saliva tests. The big disadvantage is that they have to go to the lab. ‘But they are more sensitive than the rapid tests,’ says Goossens. ‘They could be useful for testing students once a week, for example.’
Finally, there is the breath test, which is under development at the Leuven research center Imec. “It is very promising, but not ready yet,” says Goossens.
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