TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An uptick in COVID cases has led to increased demand for rapid, at-home COVID tests, with many pharmacies running out of stock.

Some people wanting home testing kits have come up empty-handed after visiting several pharmacies. Some have also gone online to purchase testing kits to no avail, per PTS.

Pharmacist Yi Li-chen (易麗珍) said, “If you want to order home rapid test kits, you have to place an order. At the moment, our order will not be filled until after June 26.”

A doctor at a clinic said that the main symptoms of this current wave of COVID are similar to the flu, such as a sore throat, runny nose, and cough. 

Doctors advise the public that expired rapid COVID tests can still be effective and should not be discarded. They remind the public that two lines on a rapid test confirm a positive COVID diagnosis, and they encourage the public to get medical treatment as soon as possible.

Doctors said expired rapid tests are still valid as long as the control line appears on the test, indicating that the test has not been compromised.

FDA Deputy Director-General Wang Der-yuan (王德原) said, "According to the production plan proposed by the industry, starting from this week, the weekly output of rapid home COVID test kits will reach more than double the demand estimated by the Centers for Disease Control."

The FDA said test kit production will reach 460,000 units a week. It has also contacted domestic chain pharmacies, convenience stores, and other channel distributors to expand distribution.

The public can visit the CDC's official website for information about which pharmacies are selling test kits. This COVID wave is estimated to peak in mid-to-late June, with high-risk groups encouraged to get vaccinated to avoid the risk of severe complications.