ABSTRACT
Background: The simplicity and low cost of rapid point-of-care tests greatly facilitate large-scale population testing, which can contribute to controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus.Methods: Between April and May 2020, the applicability of a self-testing strategy for SARS-CoV2 detection was evaluated in a population-based, cross-sectional study in Cantabria, Spain. For the self-testing strategy, participants received the necessary material for blood self-collection and performance of a rapid antibodies test using lateral flow immunoassay at home without the supervision of healthcare personnel.Findings: A total of 1,022 participants were enrolled. The vast majority of participants correctly performed the COVID-19 self-test the first time (91.3% [95% IC 89.4-92.9]). Only a minority of participants (0.7%) needed the help of healthcare personnel, and 6.9% required a second kit delivery, for a total valid test result in 96.9% of the participants. Incorrect use of the self-test did not depend on the educational level, age over 65 years, or housing area. Prevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV2 for subjects with a valid rapid test result was 3.1% (95% IC 2.2-4.4), similar to the seroprevalence result obtained using a conventional approach carried out by healthcare professionals.Interpretation: A strategy of COVID-19 self-testing could be applied as a screening tool in surveillance programs.Funding Statement: No funding.Declaration of Interests: The authors report no relevant conflict of interest ordisclosures relevant to this manuscript.Ethics Approval Statement: The Ethics Committee of investigation of Cantabria approved this study (code 2020.176) and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.