Taupotu i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga
Epidemiologist Michael Baker said multiplex rapid antigen tests (RAT) which test for Covid-19, influenza and RSV would be a useful tool to have in New Zealand.
It comes as the tests have been made available in parts of Europe such as Belgium and Spain.
The tests look similar to a regular Covid-19 RAT and are used in the same way.
The only difference is they also show if you have influenza A or B, or RSV.
Baker told 1News it would be a “really good move in principle” if accurate home tests for other common illnesses could be introduced in New Zealand.
“This could be seen as a big advance as we move as a society to more self-testing and self-management,” he said.
However, he warned there is a risk only rich people could afford the tests if they’re not subsidised and made easily available to the public.
“We would need to have offer access for communities most at risk,” Baker added.
He believes the tests could be useful for those who were considered essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Employers may want to test people working in essential roles once a week to make sure they aren’t spreading Covid or influenza around their workforce”.
He believes it would provide an economic benefit, with more people being able to isolate themselves if they test positive to any of the illnesses.
US epidemiologist Dr Eric Feigl Ding is pushing for the tests to be used in America.
In a tweet he hypothesised the FDA may be hesitant to import them as it may see more workers isolating if they tested negative for Covid but positive for RSV or influenza.
FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA
Pehe ‘e he Epitemolosisi ko Michael Baker oku mahuinga ke ma’u ‘e Nu’u Sila ‘a e me’angaue tesi Koviti multiplex rapid antigen tests (RAT) ke tesi’aki ‘a e Koviti, ‘inifuluenisaa’ mo e RSV.
Kuo ‘ata foki ‘a e me’angaue ni ia ‘i he konga ‘o ‘Iulope mo Pelisiume pehe ki Sipeini.
Oku tatau ‘a e ngaahi tesi ko eni mo e me’angaue rapid test angamaheni pea faka’aonga’i tatau pe.
Ko e kehekehe pe he oku toe tala ‘e he multiplex rapid antigen tests pe oku ke ma’u a e inifuluenisaa A pe B pe RSV.
Na’a ne pehe ki he ongoongo ‘a e 1News ko e me’a lelei mooni ia ka omi ki Nuu Sila a e me’a tesi ni ke tonu ai ‘a e ngaahi tesi mei ‘api tautefito ki he ngaahi puke angamaheni kehe.
Ka na’a ne fakatokanga ‘e pango e fakakaukau ni he ko e kakai tu’umalie pe te nau ala fakatau kapau ‘e ‘ikai sapusitaisi pea ke faingofua hano ma’u ‘e he kakai.
Oku ne tui e ‘aonga ‘a e ngaahi tesi kia kinautolu e kau essential workers lolotonga ‘a e pamatemiki Covid-19.
Oku ne tui ‘e fakaai heni ha penefiti faka’ekonomika pea lava ke lahi ange kakai te nau fakamavahe’i pe kinautolu ‘i ha’anau fai ‘a e tesi ni ‘o ‘ilo ‘oku nau positivi.
Oku teke foki ‘e he ‘epitemolosisi Amelika ko Dr Eric Feigl Ding ke ngaue’aki ‘a e ngaahi tesi ni ‘i Amelika.
Na’a ne tohi he tuita ‘o pehe ‘e lava pe ke toupikoi ‘a e FDA ke hu ange ‘a e me’a tesi ni ‘aki ha’anau sio ‘e lahi ange ha fakamavahe ‘a e kau ngaue kapau te nau tesi nekativi he Koviti kae positivi ia he RSV mo e ‘inifuluenisa’.
