Man questions reliability of rapid COVID-19 tests after false negative



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RICHMOND, Virginia – Charlie Gray says he feels lucky he didn’t spread COVID-19 to his family and friends after receiving a false negative rapid test result in September.

“It was very disturbing. I felt compelled to let people know that I had come in contact with during that 48 hour period that the first test came back negative, but the second test came back positive,” he said. Gray said.

Primary and urgent care centers across Richmond say they have been inundated with calls for appointments for COVID-19 testing.

Several people want to be tested for the virus as a precaution, especially with the recent increase in cases.

While PCR testing is considered the most accurate form of testing, with results in around two to four days.

Rapid antigen tests can come back within hours, but they are most effective in patients with symptoms early in their illness or when they have a high viral load.

This is why doctors warn that rapid tests should not be used to determine if a person is free from the virus.

“Let’s just say yesterday I was exposed and I’m going to get tested today. I won’t be HIV positive, but in two or three days I could turn positive and start to be contagious and start to have it. spread before you even have symptoms. ” said Dr Ashish Jha, dean of the school of public health at Brown University.

Gray says he underwent both tests to determine if he had COVID-19 when he was showing mild symptoms.

Although the rapid test came back negative, it was not until a few days later that the PCR test confirmed that he carried the virus.

“You really can’t base life decisions, medical decisions, and exposure decisions for yourself, your family or friends just on the rapid test,” he added.

Doctors say that even if you get tested for COVID-19, you should continue to take safety precautions, including wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

The CDC also recommends that small family gatherings for the Thanksgiving holiday be held outdoors if possible.



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