Trinidad and Tobago could soon see Covid-19 home test kits being added to the pandemic response, as Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has invited importers to seek the necessary approvals from the Chemistry Food and Drug Division.

At this morning’s Covid-19 media briefing, Minister Deyalsingh said the kits which are imported must be registered in the country which it was manufactured.

Even as he invited the private sector to seek the necessary approvals, Minister Terrence Deyalsingh noted some of the downsides of  home kits, including persons potentially using the kits incorrectly.

“It’s an issue with home kits around the world, where you get variable results as to positivity and negativity, for a variety of reasons. While the kits are inexpensive and fast, they are not as accurate as a PCR. We have noticed in trials that they get more accurate results when the swabs are properly used or used by a professional as opposed to a person at home who may be in a rush,” the Health Minister said.

“The other issue with home test kits- they are good for testing the symptomatic persons, but if you get a negative test you need to get that confirmed by PCR. And that is the practice around the world,” he added.