RAPID antigen test kits are flying off the shelves in pharmacies following a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Shops claim that sales more than doubled in the first 10 days of this month, compared with December.
The rush follows the high rate of coronavirus infections being reported in the country, with the numbers surpassing 2,200 on Wednesday.
The GDN earlier reported that new infections had increased by 1,200 per cent since the country was placed on Yellow alert on December 19. While 89 cases were reported on that day, the number of infections has since risen, surpassing 1,000 on January 4 to reach 1,224, and hitting 2,289 on Wednesday.
Gulf Pharmacy sold nearly 6,000 rapid antigen test kits over the last 10 days from its 12 branches across the country.
Each kit, priced at BD2.5, contains a swab, test device and reagent.
“We sold 5,986 kits until January 10, versus 2,205 last month,” Gulf Pharmacy general manager Nanda Kumar told the GDN.
“Our sales surged from November to December – from 916 to 2,205 kits (almost 140 per cent).
“The increase was quite significant this month, because we are comparing numbers from 10 days with a full-month’s sale in December.”
Mr Kumar also indicated that there were bulk purchases and that buyers were a diverse group of nationalities.
Kriya Pharmacy owner and pharmacist Balasubrahmanian Ramadoss also said his two outlets in Gudaibiya and Exhibition Road saw an increase in kit sales.
“In terms of retail, we sell an average of 30 kits per day, which is a remarkable increase compared to the previous months,” he said.
“Bulk sales are also on the rise, with companies frequently taking boxes of 25 and 50 kits each.
“Last month and in November, the kits were not in demand, and we expect sales to rise as experts predict the peak of infections is still ahead.”
Bahrain introduced rapid antigen Covid-19 tests in November 2020.
The test, performed as a nasal swab, gives results within 15 minutes with an accuracy rate of more than 93pc. The kit, initially priced at BD4 each is now available in pharmacies across Bahrain for BD2.5.
However, a reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction test (RT-PCR) remains the approved diagnostic tool in the kingdom.
A Juffair Square Pharmacy representative said the store sold 400 kits in three days.
“We got 600 kits on January 9 and as of Wednesday we had only 200 left, sales are way more than the time when the kits were initially opened for sale in the market,” she said.
“There is a rush and most of the people seem to know how to use it – it has become so common.”
World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) director Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari yesterday urged countries to increase the availability of free and convenient rapid testing options, which he claimed were more accurate, less expensive, and took less time than PCR tests.
Protocols
The Health Ministry on Wednesday updated its rapid testing protocols following the emergence of the Omicron variant to include swabs of both the throat and the nose.
The ministry urged people to follow instructions provided with the rapid testing device with details on the ministry’s social media.
If the result is positive, a PCR test must be performed. The rapid test result must be uploaded via the BeAware app and the infected person can go directly to the nearest drive-through testing centre without the need to call 444.
The rapid test device must be taken along in a transparent airtight bag. The individual must isolate, avoid interaction with others and wear a face mask.
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