COVID-19 rapid tests aren’t always accurate. But they’re still useful, experts say
Global News
When used properly while adhering to public health measures, experts rapid antigen tests can be an incredibly useful and effective tool in anyone's COVID-19 toolkits.
Ontario announced its plans to start a rapid antigen testing blitz on Wednesday, as the Omicron variant continues its swift spread across Canada.
The province follows others, like New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, which are already handing out rapid tests. Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia have also all vowed to follow suit.
But reports have suggested the accuracy of these tests could be anywhere between 50 and 95 per cent, depending on what kind you buy and how you use them. That means even if you take one of these tests, you can’t always trust that it’s giving you the right result.
“If someone tests positive with a rapid antigen test, it makes sense to go and get PCR testing as confirmation,” said Dr. Matthew Miller, assistant dean at McMaster University’s department of biochemistry and biomedical sciences.
This reality has prompted some — including, on Tuesday, a Liberal MP — to say that because rapid tests are “not as efficacious” as other kinds of tests, it means they are “unreliable” in the fight against Omicron.
But public health experts say it’s a bit more complicated than that — and that, when used properly while adhering to public health measures, rapid antigen tests can be an incredibly useful and effective tool in anyone’s COVID-19 toolkits.
Here’s what you need to know.
Rapid antigen tests can be bought online, at pharmacies, or, depending on your province, can be picked up for free at participating locations.
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