An expert works at the BGI Ethiopia COVID-19 test kit factory in the Bole Lemi industrial park on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on Sept. 22, 2020. Chen Songheng, General Manager of BGI Ethiopia, a subsidiary company of China's biotech giant, BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., is feeling optimistic about Ethiopia's anti-COVID-19 fight. (Xinhua/Wang Shoubao)

 Chinese medical regulatory authority approved the first two COVID-19 antigen detection kits, which can shorten the testing time to 20 minutes, according to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

The two antigen detection kits are produced by two Chinese test kit makers, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co Ltd and Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology Co Ltd, according to the statement from the NMPA. Both companies have received approval for the accelerated deployment. 

It marks the first approval for COVID-19 antigen tests, which will allow fast tests especially on patients with acute infection and high viral loads. It will also make earlier screening of suspected cases possible, allowing more swift response and management of cases. 

Antigen tests are reported to be quicker but can be less reliable compared to the higher-quality PCR diagnostic tests, which were used in the mass testing in Qingdao last month. However, currently some European countries, such as Slovakia, are reportedly relying mostly on antigen tests to carry out mass tests nationwide. . 

So far, a total of 24 nucleic acid tests, 25 antibody tests and two antigen tests have been approved by the NMPA as of press time. 

Global Times