Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, has announced the Government’s plans to import 150,000 COVID-19 test kits, in preparation for the anticipation of a fourth wave of coronavirus infections.

Speaking at Wednesday night’s (December 15) COVID Conversations, Minister Tufton also disclosed that the kits will not incur a cost to the public.

Tufton noted that the government arrived at this decision due to the anticipated negative effects that a fourth wave, which could be further exacerbated as a result of Jamaica’s lagging vaccine uptake. The test kits, in other words, will serve as a contingency plan.

“In preparation for the fourth wave, the government has made a critical assessment of the impact of low vaccination rates and the probability that due to those low numbers, the impact may be greater than we would like. We’re hoping it is not, but it is possible,” he said.

Tufton discussed at length the Jamaican government’s probe into the self-administered tests.

Earlier this year, the minister spoke on the potential local use of self-test kits. He noted the constant evolution (weekly and daily) of the self-test kits. Between the approved over-the-counter World Health Organization (WHO) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved self-test kits on the market, coupled with an appropriate level of advice and caution, the government is now in a position to encourage and promote the use of the self-test kits.

The process of importing the 150,000 approved kits is currently underway. The minister expressed that once the public good is decided on and supported by the appropriate documentation, public and private sector stakeholders will be engaged in conversation to determine the best approach for distribution and use of the kits.

The Health Minister stressed the need to ensure that an advisory around the way the kits are used and possible margins of error are provided to the public.

“It is important to note that these kits do come with an advisory. Their accuracy is not as guaranteed as is the PCR tests that are a lot more sensitive and mechanised in terms of the process of validation and they depend their accuracy on how they’re administered by the person who is administering this kit,” Dr Tufton disclosed.

He added that this protocol will be made available on the ministry’s website.

Individuals who engage in self-testing and suspect they have contracted the virus should ensure they do not depend solely on the results of the test kit but visit their doctor for further assessment.

In the meantime, applications from private entities seeking to receive the approved home kits are currently being processed.

According to the minister, thus far, three private entities on the island have applied for kits and discussions are being held to determine the documentation surrounding these kits. Once satisfied, the Government will fast-track the permit process to authorise the kits entering into the country.