Aldi and Lidl supermarkets have made their own rapid tests for the detection of coronavirus cases available to their customers since this March. This diagnostic system, approved by the German Federal Institute of Medicines, is only sold in Germany
Specifically, the body of the European country has approved three rapid tests: Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Card, LYHER Covid-19 Antigen Schnelltest Nasal and CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Self-Test. Their price varies between 5 and 10 euros, they have a reliability of 80% and offer results in 15 minutes. The German government intends with this measure to speed up the detection of infections in the country.
How the rapid coronavirus detection tests sold by Aldi or Lidl work
The company explains that its CLINITEST rapid Covid-19 antigen test can be done perfectly by people without health training. Thus, he conducted a study of 50 people without medical training who performed the test on themselves with the help of the instructions for use. “The CLINITEST COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test offers users a great deal of flexibility in performing the test with very good quality results,” said Christoph Pedain, Head of Point-of-Care Diagnostics at Siemens Healthineers.
The company explains that this self-test involves taking samples from both nostrils with a swab. The swab is then washed in a reagent, dissolving a specific protein on the surface of the virus. This liquid is dropped into a hole in the test cassette. Within 15 minutes, the test sample flows into the field of view of the cassette and becomes visible via a dash. The position and number of lines indicate if the test result is positive or negative, or if something was done incorrectly during the test procedure and the test needs to be repeated.
“By making the rapid Covid-19 antigen test available for non-professional use in Germany, we are breaking new ground and further fulfilling our social responsibility to support the return to social normalcy,” said Bernd Ohnesorge, head of the region. from Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Siemens Healthineers.
Will the rapid coronavirus tests reach Aldi and Lidl in Spain?
Siemens Healthineers says that it has started the regular CE marking conformity assessment procedure for self-administration by non-professionals. For the moment, it has been the television doctor César Carballo who has applauded this initiative that has been launched in Germany.
“We have been saying for a long time the need to liberalize self-tests. Very good news that can help us minimize the fourth wave… But we have to copy… And that’s it,” the expert wrote on Twitter.