UK Will Soon Launch A Rapid Test Kit For COVID-19, It Takes Only 20 Seconds

Illustration of the COVID-19 test. (Jakayla Toney / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - British authorities are preparing to accept applications for authorization to use a rapid COVID-19 test kit, only 20 seconds that can be used at airports, sports, and business venues, the distributor said Friday local time.

The COVID-19 rapid test kit is believed to be one of the keys to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's roadmap to get the UK out of lockdown due to COVID-19. However, doubts about the accuracy of the test results remain.

The test kit, which is called the Virolens, was made by British startup i Abra and TT Electronics and was piloted at Heathrow Airport, London, England using saliva swabs.

Histate, as the distributor for the COVID-19 test kit, revealed that Virolens would be launched immediately after the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received registration of the product. And, manufacturers hope this test kit can be used more widely in the coming months.

The MHRA does not issue an approval for COVID-19 testing as it does for vaccines, once determined to be effective. However, registering a medical device with a certification mark if it meets legal criteria, is safe, and is manufactured according to the standards specified by the manufacturer for the stated purpose.

Histate added that the trial results showed the test had a sensitivity of 98.1 percent and was ready for use in the UK.