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Demand for ART kits 'elevated', more stocks expected to arrive soon: Retailers

SINGAPORE — Demand for antigen rapid test (ART) kits has risen in the past week and more stocks are expected to arrive in stores soon, retailers said.

A sign showing Covid-19 antigen rapid self-test kits being out of stock at a pharmacy on Feb 7, 2022.

A sign showing Covid-19 antigen rapid self-test kits being out of stock at a pharmacy on Feb 7, 2022.

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SINGAPORE — Demand for antigen rapid test (ART) kits has risen in the past week and more stocks are expected to arrive in stores soon, retailers said.

The Covid-19 self-test kits for nose swabs have run out of stock in some stores. In response to CNA’s queries, three retailers — NTUC FairPrice, Guardian and Watsons — said that they are working with suppliers to ensure a steady supply of the stocks. 

"Demand for ART kits has been elevated in the past week," FairPrice supermarket chain said on Wednesday (Feb 9). 

This could be due to the "heightened number" of Covid-19 cases and "public awareness" on regular testing, it added.

Singapore has seen a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases, with 13,011 infections reported on Tuesday — the third time in a week that the daily caseload has hit five figures. 

FairPrice said: "Stocks in our stores remain available with more expected to arrive in the next two weeks. We continue to work closely with our suppliers to meet the needs of customers." 

At Guardian pharmacies, demand for the test kits has doubled since mid-January, “significantly higher” than in November and December, DFI Retail Group told CNA. 

More people returning to offices and Chinese New Year festivities could be behind the surge in demand, it added. 

“We have also seen an increase in demand in the past week as more consumers are taking extra precautions and conducting self-tests before their Chinese New Year visitations,” it added.

Guardian has “sufficient supplies”, but the retailer is “ordering more and working with our suppliers to ensure a steady supply of ART kits”. 

Watsons told CNA on Wednesday that stocks are "snapped up fast upon hitting the stores”. 

“In anticipation of more demand of ART kits with the current situation, we have placed orders for more supplies of the kits,” the retailer said, adding that it was monitoring "the trend closely". CNA

For more stories like this, visit cna.asia.

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antigen rapid test NTUC FairPrice Guardian Watsons Covid-19 testing Chinese New Year

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