Image Courtesy Ross Lavigne

By Darren Rathwell

A how-to guide for COVID rapid testing

Dec 16, 2021 | 4:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Free rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 will be available in Medicine Hat tomorrow, so you may be wondering how do you actually go about using one.

You’ve come to the right place, as CHAT News offers you a guide on a typical rapid antigen test.

First, make sure you have all that you need in the box.

“You’re going to find a (test strip), you’re going to find a test tube, you’re going to find a (nasal) swab, you’re going to find buffer solution,” Greg Bueckert of Greg’s Remedies says.

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From there, it’s time to place 10 drops of buffer solution into the test tube, in which you will dissolve your sample.

You may want to remove the panel from its package now, and it’s time to be swabbed.

“In this particular test, we only use about a half-inch to an inch (of swab) at the very most. We go into both nostrils. There’s a spot in there that they recommend that you touch, not bang, but touch,” Bueckert said.

“Generally people’s eyes water and sometimes they sneeze,” he added.

After tilting your head back, insert the swab. “Go into the nostril along the top until feeling a bit of resistance. Now … push on your nostril with your other hand.”

Bueckert says then “twist to get a good sample. They recommend four or five seconds. I pull it out then to get a bit more (of a sample). This is where your eyes usually water or you sneeze.”

Then repeat the process in the other nostril with the same swab.

Following your nasal wipe, place the swab into the test tube with buffer fluid.

After sealing the swab in the test tube, let it sit for two minutes. Then, place three to five drops of test solution onto the well of the test strip.

Then wait for 15 minutes more.

“If the panel flares red (after inserting the fluid) there’s COVID,” Bueckert said.

You’ll also note the panel has a ‘c’ (for control) and ‘t” (for test) on it.

A red line on the ‘c’ still needs to appear to show you did the test properly.

If the test shows a positive reading, you’ll need to book an appointment with Alberta Health Services to confirm the result. Generally, a period of isolation will then take place, or possibly hospitalization in severe cases.