Today, we are going to demonstrate how to use the BTNX, rapid response COVID-19 antigen test.
In British Columbia, when your age category is eligible,
you are entitled to one box of five tests every 28 days.
You will need your personal health number when picking up your box of tests and the pharmacy will
need to process the kit for you. So please allow for a bit of time at the pharmacy to do this.
Here's a list of the items contained in each kit. It is important to remember that rapid tests are
very time sensitive. If you are presenting with symptoms and receive a negative test,
you may want to consider retesting in a day or two, as data has shown
that these tests may not be as sensitive, especially in the early days of symptoms.
The test kits are stable at two to 30 degrees Celsius until the expiration date on the box
as seen here. To complete an at-home rapid antigen test first be sure that you have
washed your hands and washed the surface of the counter area that you are using.
Start by placing the extraction tube into the test tube
rack. Twist the cap off of the buffer liquid and insert 10 drops into the test tube, or
if you prefer, you may empty the entire quantity of buffer liquid into the test tube.
Remove the swab from its packaging. Have the person tilt their head back
and insert the swab about half an inch inside the nostril.
Rotate the nasal swab within the nose for five seconds. Using a circular motion, compress the
nostril with the fingers to trap the swab tip and rotate the tip for a minimum of five seconds.
Remove and repeat for the other nostril with the same swab
after completing the swab of both nostrils answered the swab into the extraction tube
swirled as swab mixing well and squeeze the swab 10 to 15 times by compressing the
walls of the tube against the swab with a swab still inside the tube.
Leave the extraction tube upright in the tube stand. Let the swab stand in the solution for
two minutes. After two minutes, remove the swab while pressing the swab head firmly against the
inner wall of the tube to release as much liquid as possible dispose of the used swab safely, so
as not to contaminate any other person or surface. Attach the nozzle to the sample extraction tube,
invert the tube and add three drops of the extracted solution into the sample
well of the test device by gently squeezing the tube.
Start the timer for 15 minutes and wait for colored lines to appear. Read the results
at the 15 minute mark. The test is positive if two colored bands appear on the membrane,
one band appears in the control region C and another band appears in the test region
"T". The test is negative if only one colored band appears in the control region
"C". The test is deemed to be invalid if the control band fails to appear. An invalid test
result means that the test must be discarded and repeated. Please note that the color intensity
may vary in the test region, depending on the concentration of analytes present in the specimen.
Therefore, any shade of color in the test region should be considered positive. The
manufacturer also states that is important to remember that a negative test result does not
preclude SARS-CoV-2 infection. If you do have symptoms, but your test results are negative,
you should take precautions so as not to spread any illness
and consider retesting, if you are still symptomatic in the coming days.