I simply can’t imagine how this critical transitional period can be managed without a massive expansion of rapid screening tests.”The National Post spoke to a range of experts to learn how a rapid testing campaign could be implemented if the desire was there to do so. Rapid tests are for screeningNobody who advocates rapid testing thinks it’s a replacement for lab-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Rapid tests are a screening mechanism. A positive rapid test means the person can be immediately isolated until the case is confirmed with a PCR test. Estimates vary, but antigen tests are typically in the range of 75 per cent to 98 per cent sensitive compared to PCR.

Source: National Post February 06, 2021 12:00 UTC