Why does it still take so long to get a COVID-19 PCR test result?
CBSN
New COVID-19 restrictions for international travel and other activities are fueling consumer demand for highly accurate polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests with rapid turnaround times. Some clinics can deliver a PCR test result within hours, which these days can be as essential as a plane ticket for air travel. The downside? It will likely cost you hundreds of dollars.
The molecular-based tests, considered the gold standard for detecting COVID-19, are a reliable tool but can take days to process, particularly as cases of the virus surge and people queue up for testing. Unlike less accurate antigen tests, which can be used at the point of care and deliver results within minutes, PCR tests typically require the use of lab equipment as well as technicians who are trained to process and interpret the results. Clinics with their own onsite labs can process results more quickly.
COVID-19 testing has spawned a veritable cottage industry, with medically minded entrepreneurs stepping up to meet increased demand — often charging top dollar to expedite PCR test results.
