Inconveniences around COVID-19 continue to decline with the rising distribution of rapid antigen testing kits around the world as Canadian health officials have approved the rapid test produced by Lumos Diagnostics (ASX: LDX).

The Lumos CoviDx™ SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test is a Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic test which can return a patient’s result within 20 minutes from a viral swab.

Under the Interim Order authorisation granted by Health Canada, the Lumos test will commence being used by qualified healthcare professionals to evaluate symptomatic patients.

“As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, rapid point-of-care testing is a critical component of the Canadian public health response,” said Lumos Diagnostics CEO, Rob Sambursky.

“Using CoviDx as part of routine testing and triage protocols can help advance public health and safety in Canada, while also supporting the important efforts underway to ensure the continuity of commerce, tourism and education across the country.”

While the test will commence being distributed to Canadian health professionals, rising vaccination rates are expected to see distribution available for public use in the future. This is the case for other rapid antigen test kits in Europe.

In Australia, rapid antigen test kits have now been made available in supermarkets and pharmacies for public consumption following approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for nine different test kits. Lumos CoviDx was not one.

Since listing on the ASX in July 2021 following a successful IPO that raised $63 million at $1.25 per share, LDX shares have fallen to be trading around $0.88.