Where To Buy Rapid Antigen Test Tasmania
If you're in need of rapid antigen testing kits in Tasmania or can't access free rapid antigen tests in your area, we've got you covered at Clinical Supplies. Our selection contains a variety of different rapid antigen tests approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and offer accurate results on a person' COVID-19 status.
Since a PCR test takes a while to process and can only be done by a health professional in a PCR testing site, rapid antigen tests are the ideal option for Australian residents.
These COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, also known as RATs or point-of-care self-tests produce reliable results, so you can use these kits before travelling, going to work, or attending a gathering to ensure you and the people around you are safe.
COVID-19 is a threat to public health, but through widespread accurate testing, it will be easier to find and isolate positive cases, reducing the community spread.
On top of that, there are many different areas and high-risk settings that require a negative rapid antigen test result before entering, so it's ideal to have a couple of these rapid antigen tests at the ready.
Why Use Rapid Antigen Tests?
PCR tests or polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 tests are expensive and require a medical professional to administer. On top of that, it can take a while for a health practitioner to process the results, which can lead to significant delays.
With rapid antigen self-tests, people no longer need to go to testing sites to determine their COVID-19 status. These Therapeutic Goods Administration-approved COVID-19 rapid antigen tests can be administered at home without the help of anyone else.
On top of that, they deliver results in 15-30 minutes, allowing people to stay on top of the COVID-19 status and alert their close contacts if they test positive.
Rapid antigen tests or RATs are widely used in many different countries including Australia due to their convenience. And with a wave of COVID-19 infections looking to hit Australia in the coming weeks, having a couple of these having a RAT kit ready at home is a great way to detect infections.
How to Use a Rapid Antigen Test
To get accurate results from your rapid tests, it's important to practice the proper procedure. Most rapid antigen tests follow the same methodology. However, each rapid antigen test also has its own set of instructions to follow.
Here are the general instructions for using a rapid antigen testing kit;
Prepare the Space
It's important to have a sanitised space to conduct rapid antigen tests. And if you're testing another person, it's also important to keep it well-ventilated.
Place the Buffer in the Tube
To use an antigen test, you need to mix the sample with a buffer. Usually, the buffer needs to be placed in the tube. However, there are some rapid antigen testing kits that already have the buffer inside the tube. If that's the case, you can skip this step.
Collect the Sample
Once the buffer is in the tube, use the nasal swab to collect a sample from the proper collection points. However, there may be some self-tests that require a saliva sample instead, so make sure to read the instructions when conducting point-of-care self-tests.
Mix the Sample and Wait
After collecting the sample, place the sample in the same tube as the buffer and mix it around for 15 seconds. Once it's mixed, you can use a dropper (some rapid antigen tests come with it) to drop 3-5 drops onto the testing cassette at a 90-degree angle.
From there, you have to wait 15-30 minutes for a result. Positive COVID-19 rapid antigen tests will show two lines, while negative tests will only show one.
What To Do If You Test Positive Through a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test
If you test positive for COVID-19 while using a rapid antigen testing kit, the first thing to do is self-isolate right away. Self-testing usually presents accurate results if the test was performed correctly, so if you receive a positive result on a rapid antigen test, you are considered COVID-19 positive.
From there, you can also notify all of your close contacts that you got a positive result on your rapid antigen test. You should advise your close contacts to immediately isolate as well as get themselves tested either through rapid tests or a PCR test as soon as possible.
Most people who contract COVID-19 only experience mild symptoms, if any at all. However, if you develop symptoms, it's important to call a public health professional to let them know of your situation and receive further information on what to do.