Medical chiefs set to boost capacity for Covid-19 tests

Up to 40 more labs will be set up to run Covid-19 tests nationwide by the end of this month, says the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS).

The department said there are currently 57 labs being assessed and certified for operations with 40 more on the way for assessment before they can begin the testing.

Once all 97 labs are up and running, they will have the combined capacity to perform 10,000 tests in Bangkok and surrounding areas and another 10,000 tests in other provinces on a daily basis.

DMS director-general Opart Karnkawinpong said Covid-19 tests are largely intended to either detect traces of the virus or examine a person’s immunity. The virus detection test delivers a more accurate result and will turn up positive after 5-7 days from an individual having contracted the disease.

The immunity test result will be positive after 10-14 days of infection.

The department chief reiterated that people should only seek a coronavirus test if they have a fever, cough, sore throat or have been in contact with a Covid-19 sufferer or frequented places where infections have occurred.

He added that Covid-19 test kits and solution liquid are reserved for use by medical establishments and hospitals as permitted by the Food and Drug Administration. They are banned from retail sales. The tests can only be carried out and results interpreted by professionals.

His comments followed the government’s continued suppression of online sales of so-called home “Covid-19 test kits”, which experts have confirmed are not effective.

Currently, Dr Opart said one of the fastest, most reliable test methods is the real-time polymerase chain reaction, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is possible to obtain the result within three hours and is accurate even if there is only a small amount of virus present in the body. Samples are collected from a person’s body fluids in the respiratory system and is suitable for early diagnosis of the symptoms.

Meanwhile, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) said yesterday it had received delivery of 40,000 favipiravir tablets ordered from Japan on Monday.

Up to 18,000 pills used for treating lung infections will be given to state-run regional hospitals.

The GPO said it expects another 100,000 favipiravir tablets from China on Friday and another 200,000 from Japan later this month.