COVID-19 At Home Test and Where to Get It

Prenetics International have announced an imminent at home test for the coronavirus that you can take at home. Sounds a little too good to be true, however the info is all here.

• In response to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Prenetics International has announced the launch of “Circle19 Covid-test”, a COVID-19 home testing solution that combines gold standard laboratory analysis together with a digital result delivery system, doctor review and result tracking system, that can be used to share with public health systems subject to user consent.
• The Circle19 Covid-test will consist of a home CE marked collection device that is then sent to an accredited laboratory partner and analysed using gold standard technology to detect the presence of a live infection, the same laboratory technology currently being used by governments around the world known at RT-PCR.
• The Circle19 Covid-test results will then be delivered through a digital application alongside a doctor review of the result. Users will then be able to opt-into sharing this information with wider public health bodies for the purpose of tracking test results in the market. The results will be provided within 3-4 days of reaching the laboratory.
• The Circle19 Covid-test solution will also allow anybody that has taken a private COVID-19 test to share their testing results and other related details to third parties as a means to contribute to national efforts to track the spread of the virus.

Prenetics International, who recently launched CircleDNA; ‘the most comprehensive consumer DNA test in the world,’ is uniquely placed to bring together a mix of home testing distribution, gold-standard laboratory processes and world-leading user experience in a time where many companies are trying.

As part of the COVID-19 pandemic, there exist the following challenges:

• Access to adequate laboratory services and testing for the general public, who currently rely on an already stretched NHS to provide all testing.
• Access to easy to use, at-home testing kits for testing with reliable accuracy.
• An intuitive, accessible digital software solution to allow users to share their test results and symptoms with Public Health England, as well as order further testing and understand their results.
• Lack of capacity to perform ‘RT-PCR’ test to discover those with active virus status.

Prenetics Int CEO, Avi Lasarow, comments; ‘Currently consumers and the Government are looking for testing solutions to support the growing testing demand, and need to accurately identify individuals that have the virus. Therefore, our objective is not only to make available a solution that can be relied upon, but also to provide a platform that can be used to give vital information to Public Health England in support of the National Health Service with appropriate consent from users”

What will Prenetics bring to market?

The groups product will comprise an end-to-end solution, driven by a digital app experience to allow users to achieve the following:

• Report their symptoms, any previous test results and location to relevant authority (with the full and informed consent of the user)
•     Order home ‘RT-PCR’ test for those currently suffering symptoms to ascertain virus status.
•     Share results and status with third parties for the enhancement of information tracking for individuals who have not yet entered the NHS pathway.

The move by Prenetics is hugely significant given the shortage of tests currently available, and the questions that have arisen about their validity whereby some tests have the possibility for false positives. As the UK moves to contain the virus, demand has increased for a more rapid response, capable through frequency, and accuracy of testing.

The test is expected to be available in market by early April, and Prenetics will be actively engaging with the relevant UK authorities to present the test’s accuracy and scientific validation, and will assure that the test meets any new Government standards relating to shipping of dangerous samples in accordance with the Government’s guidance on Covid-19 safe-handling and processing guidelines.

There’s no mention of a cost involved however some wealthy individuals have had access to testing through private means, hence why some celebrities have revealed if they have COVID-19 while not currently in a hospital, which is where the tests take place.

For more information take a look at www.circledna.com or www.getcircle19.com