Interior Health would like to clarify an internal memo related to COVID-19 testing changes that is circulating on social media.
Rapid antigen tests (RAT) detect infections in more than 70 to 80 per cent of patients with COVID-19 and are a great tool within the community to help inform members of the public if they could be infected with COVID-19 to help them prevent spread of the virus to others.
However, RAT is unable to test for other common respiratory viruses such as Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which are also circulating, so regardless of RAT results, it’s important to use respiratory hygiene measures and stay home until you feel well enough to participate in regular day-to-day activities.
In health care settings, critical treatment and infection control decisions are made based on results, and since more accurate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which can also detect Influenza and RSV is readily available, RAT is not the preferred test.
RAT still has a role in diagnosing COVID-19 in members of the public and is a valuable tool if positive, but it does not rule out respiratory viral illness if negative, especially since it doesn’t test for other respiratory viruses like Influenza or RSV. That is why PCR testing is required in the more crucial health care setting. For more information on COVID-19 tests, visit: Types of tests (bccdc.ca).
Moving forward, RAT will no longer be used for clinical decision-making in our health care facilities, which is a change supported across the province to ensure all clinical care and infection prevention and control decisions are based on the most accurate information to maintain patient safety. During the respiratory viral season, it is important for everyone to protect themselves and those around them by getting vaccinated for Influenza and COVID-19 if eligible, staying home while symptomatic with respiratory infections, and seeking medical care if experiencing severe symptoms. More elderly patients or those with underlying medical conditions may benefit from COVID-19 treatment with mild to moderate symptoms. For more information on who is eligible for COVID-19 treatment, see: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/treatments
