Hey #covidcautious bubble!

Are there any current studies comparing rapid tests and plus life? I know of the ones mentioned on virus.sucks, but was wondering if there has been any scientific research done after those?

I know of a ton of anecdotal evidence, but am specifically interested in recent scientific studies.

Asking because I know someone who strongly prefers rapid tests (with good reason; this is not about that fact) - I want to figure out if I would feel safe enough being around them if they stick with rapid tests.

#covid #rapidtests #pluslife

Myth: rapid antigen tests have a random chance to throw false negatives, so retesting a few times on the same day is sufficient to rule out covid

Fact: RATs are very good at detecting SARSCoV2 *at their specific detection threshold,* which is in the millions of viral copies, and it takes time for the viral load in the nasopharynx to hit this threshold -- up to a week into symptoms in many cases. You should treat every symptomatic infection you have as if it could be covid until you are testing "negative" (read: inconclusive) on RATs in *multiple 48 hour intervals,* and even *then* you should be wary

Myth: not testing positive means you aren't contagious

Fact: people are contagious at lower viral loads than RATs can detect

References:
1. FDA - Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/understanding-home-otc-covid-19-antigen-diagnostic-test-results
2. Leopold Schabel/Lucentia - Unofficial PlusLife FAQ: https://virus.sucks/pluslife_en/

#SARSCoV2 #RapidTest #RapidTests #covid #covid19 #PublicHealth #CovidIsNotOver

For the first time ever in Canada, I just saw combination COVID + Flu rapid tests available for sale.

#CovidIsNotOver #COVID19 #RapidTests

What are the most reliable rapid antigen tests?

newsGP
May 6, 2024
By Michelle Wisbey

A new study has analysed 26 RATs from Australia and Canada, finding only six could effectively detect the lowest concentrations of COVID-19.

https://stillcoviding.ca/en/news/what-are-the-most-reliable-rapid-antigen-tests/

#Canada #COVID #Covid19 #CovidIsNotOver #CovidLong #CovidLongue #LongCovid #RapidTests #StillCoviding

Ottawa will stop providing COVID-19 rapid tests to regions

CBC News
May 7, 2024
By Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon

The Canadian government plans to stop supplying provinces and territories with free COVID-19 rapid tests, which has an infection control epidemiologist worried about two-tiered health care, increased spread and increased health-care costs.

https://stillcoviding.ca/en/news/ottawa-will-stop-providing-covid-19-rapid-tests-to-regions/

#Canada #COVID #COVID19 #CovidIsNotOver #RapidTests #SARSCoV2 #StillCoviding

COVID test supplier received billions in pandemic contracts after submitting edited results

Global News
December 21, 2023
By Patti Sonntag

“This apparent flaw meant the test kit was more likely to produce false-negative results which, many experts said, put Canadian lives at risk.”

https://globalnews.ca/news/10183219/covid-test-supplier-canada/

#BTNX #Canada #COVID #COVID19 #CovidIsNotOver #MaskUp #RapidTests #SARSCoV2