The quick test kits that can help to detect Omicron
These days, Omicron rapid test kits are being sold on various social networks with sellers from Hanoi and HCM City. The lowest prices of the kits are around VND40,000 (USD1.69) each.
A reporter of Dantri/DTiNews contacted a trader who said that the kits are imported from South Korea. In the coming time, her company would import more of this kind of kit.
She added that, however, the product has not yet been licensed by Vietnamese authorities for being able to detect Omicron. The kit which is priced at VND49,000 had an expiry date of May next year. Meanwhile, those sold at VND54,000 would expire in December 2023.
The wholesale prices are applied to a batch of 1,000 kits.
Vietnam has high demand for the kits and some wholesalers have raised the kit prices to VND59,000.
Traders claim the kits can detect Omicron, but cannot provide legal certificates approved by Vietnamese authorities.
According to Professor Nguyen Anh Tri, at present, Vietnam is using the gene sequencing method to identify the Omicron infection.
By January 7, Vietnam had recorded 30 Omicron infections which are all imported cases and have been timely quarantined.