Instructions for Using COVID-19 Test Strips

Under normal circumstances, a COVID-19 test strip refers to a SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection kit, which can be used to determine whether an individual is infected with the novel coronavirus. The specific operating steps are as follows:

1. Wash your hands before starting the procedure and check that the reagent kit packaging is intact.

2. Use a cotton swab dipped in normal saline to clean secretions from the nasal cavity.

3. After cleaning, slightly tilt your head back and gently insert the nasal swab along the bottom of the lower nasal passage into the nostril. Rotate it four times, then remove. Repeat the same procedure in the other nostril.

4. Place the sampled nasal swab into the sample tube, submerge the swab tip into the extraction buffer, and rotate for 30 seconds.

5. After releasing the sample, break off the nasal swab at the designated breakpoint, close the cap of the sample tube, and dispense the liquid into the sample well of the test device.

6. Wait 15 minutes to read the result. If both the C line and T line appear, the result is positive; if only the C line appears and the T line does not, the result is negative; if the C line does not appear, regardless of whether the T line appears or not, the result is invalid and the test must be repeated.

When using the SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection kit, it is recommended to perform the test under sterile conditions to avoid contamination and errors. To ensure accuracy, it is advisable to visit a certified medical facility and perform the test under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.