Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection

陈小将

The State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19 said on Friday that it would allow the public to buy COVID-19 antigen self-test kits in stores and online. The COVID-19 antigen test is a supplementary diagnostic method to the mainstream nucleic acid testing to improve early detection, according to a notice published on the National Health Commission's website.
3月11日，国家卫健委官网发布由国务院联防联控机制综合组制定的《新冠病毒抗原检测应用方案（试行）》，根据方案，社区居民有自我检测需求的，可通过零售药店、网络销售平台等渠道，自行购买新冠病毒抗原检测试剂自测。方案称，抗原检测作为补充手段可以用于特定人群的筛查，有利于提高“早发现”能力。

The antigen test kits can be used by people who have had fever or respiratory symptoms within five days, by people who are under quarantine and other residents who simply want to take a test, the notice said.
抗原检测的适用人群：一是伴有呼吸道、发热等症状且出现症状5天以内的人员；二是隔离观察人员；三是有抗原自我检测需求的社区居民。

People who test positive with the antigen kits should immediately contact local authorities regardless of whether they show symptoms, it said.
抗原自测阳性的人员，不论是否有呼吸道、发热等症状，应立即向所在社区(村镇)报告。