Revision to testing, diagnosis, and

quarantine procedures for COVID-19 cases

and contacts
15 Feb 2022 update
 RESPONDING TO COVID-19

The Ministry of Health adopts a science-based approach drawing on

emerging evidence and international best practice
in managing COVID-19

2020 2021
• Commenced COVID-19 • Genome sequencing
surveillance, expanded • Introduced ART
NIC
• National COVID-19 vaccine
• PCR testing program
• Launched BruHealth • Implementation of the 2022
application National COVID-19 Recovery • Vaccine booster
Plan program
• Revision to testing
strategy
• New health
protocols
ART is now the default COVID-19 test

Accessibility of self-ART ART kits used in Brunei are

empowers individuals and validated by MOH to ensure
communities to take high accuracy and reliability
responsibility for their health

PCR can remain positive long ART can be done more

after patient is no longer frequently and generates
infectious. ART is a more faster results so we can take
specific test for immediate action to protect
infectiousness. our loved ones.
All ART kits approved for use in Brunei undergo validation by MOH

• International evidence suggests that accuracy of ART during periods of

community transmission is >90%.

• This is demonstrated by local data from travelers entering Brunei in January

2022.

• Comparison of ART positive tests at the airport against PCR tests show that the
accuracy in detecting positive cases is at 98%.

Positive Predictive Value of ART used

in Brunei = 98%
ART detects individuals who are infectious

Source:
Mina MJ, Parker R, Larremore DB.
Rethinking Covid-19 Test Sensitivity - A
Strategy for Containment. N Engl J Med.
2020 Nov 26;383(22):e120. doi:
10.1056/NEJMp2025631.
 How can I check if I have COVID-19?
I have tested positive
My doctor has
on PCR. Await
1 referred me for a instructions from
PCR test MOH.

Isolate and conduct Self-report positive

I have flu-like I tested positive both result.# Await
2 two ART tests
symptoms times on ART instructions from
consecutively*
MOH.

Self-report positive
I have no symptoms
Isolate and repeat I tested positive both result.# Await
3 but have tested
ART* times on ART instructions from
positive on ART MOH.

Isolate and conduct I tested positive by Self-report positive

I am a close contact ART on Day 1 and ART on either Day 1 result.# Await
4 Day 5 from instructions from
of a confirmed case or Day 5
noticiation* MOH.

*You may use your own ART kits if you have them, or request a family member to purchase for you. Alternatively, you may request for delivery of ART kits by calling Talian Darussalam 123.
# You may self-report your positive results on the online web portal www.moh.gov.bn/ARTreport or by calling Talian Darussalam 123
 BRUNEI’S COVID-19 HEALTH PROTOCOLS
PROTOCOL 1 PROTOCOL 2 PROTOCOL 3 PROTOCOL 4

DOCTOR REFERRAL YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS NO SYMPTOMS BUT POSITIVE ART CLOSE CONTACT

Your doctor has referred you for PCR Do a self-ART. Repeat self-ART. Complete BruHealth Self-Assessment
test Tool.
If positive: If repeat ART positive see
Proceed to PCR swabbing centre • Repeat ART again PROTOCOL 2 Self-isolate for 5 days and conduct
• Report to ART at home on Day 1 and Day 5.
Self-isolate while awaiting results www.moh.gov.bn/ARTReport
• Self-isolate at home and await Report all results (both positive and
If positive, your BruHealth code will instructions from MOH negative) to
turn purple. Continue isolation and www.moh.gov.bn/ARTReport
await instructions from MOH

If you develop severe symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing call 991
 What to do if you are positive for COVID-19?

1 Stay at home and isolate from other members of your household. If you test positive by PCR, MOH will
automatically receive your results. If you test positive by self-administered ART, you will need to report your result
Diagnosis & on www.moh.gov.bn/ARTReport. Once we have verified your results, you will be contacted by SMS. Please read
Reporting carefully and comply with all relevant instructions.

You should inform the members of your household, and individuals (workplaces, schools, social group) who you
2 have been in close contact with up to 2 days before your swab date, and ask them to follow the protocol for close
Inform contacts contacts.

3 A clinical team will assess your symptom status. Individuals who do not have symptoms, or have only mild
symptoms will be allowed to recover at home. Those with moderate to severe symptoms, or are considered higher
Symptom risk will be admitted to a specialised facility to recover.
assessment

4 Individuals on home recovery will be issued a care package containing Antigen Rapid Test kits. You should monitor
and report your symptoms daily on use the ART kits when instructed to do so by the calling team from TD123. If
Recovery your symptoms worsen during your recovery, you should contact TD123 or call 991 (for severe symptoms).

Discharge from home recovery will depend on the results of your ART. If you test negative on Day 5, you will be
5 asked to repeat a test on Day 6 and can discharge once negative. If you remain positive on Day 5, you will need to
repeat the test on Day 7. If you remain positive on Day 7 you will need to complete 10 days isolation. You should
Test-To-Discharge only conduct Test-To-Discharge under guidance from TD123.
If you test positive, but are well or assessed to have mild symptoms you will
undergo mandatory home isolation.
Day What to expect

1 Verified positive.
You will receive a purple code on BruHealth.

2-4 Self-isolate at home.

Update your symptoms daily after receiving prompt by TD123

5 Take an ART self-test.

If ART is negative, do your next ART on Day 6
If ART is positive, do your next ART on Day 7

6-7 Repeat ART self-test depending on the results of Day 5 ART.

You will be discharged when your ART is negative.
If ART is positive, continue isolating until Day 10.

8 - 10 You can automatically exit isolation after completing Day 10

 You have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

Carefully complete the Self-
Assessment Tool on your
BruHealth and quarantine at
home for 5 days from
notification.
Conduct Antigen Rapid Test on Day
1. If negative, continue isolation at Submit your ART results to the ART
home for 5 days and conduct the reporting portal.
second ART on Day 5.
You are discharged once your
If positive, you do not need a BruHealth reverts to previous colour.
confirmatory PCR. Isolate at home
and report results on
www.moh.gov.bn/ARTreport*

Report your Day 1 and Day 5

ART results on the ART reporting
If you do not already have an ART
kit, you can ask a family member portal*:
or friend to purchase one for you
or alternatively call Talian www.moh.gov.bn/
Darussalam 123 to request for
delivery. ARTReport/*

*Individuals without online access can contact Talian Darussalam 123 for assistance in submitting results