The Top 5 Common Misconceptions For COVID-19 Testing

All this talk of COVID-19 test types, variants and vaccines have most people wondering what all of it means. What test should you take? What if you have a vaccine? Which variant should I worry about? Not to fret – CovX Labs has got you covered. 

Here are some of the most common misconceptions during this pandemic:

1. “COVID tests are probably too expensive for me…”

Not True! While you can pay cash or card for PCR/antigen testing, your insurance will cover the cost for testing in most cases.

This is due to Families First Coronavirus Response Act – leaving most people not having to pay for the cost of testing to help promote safety and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Shortly after came the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which required insurance and your health plans to be reimbursed. In other words, your insurance should cover the cost for COVID-19 testing if you do not wish to pay with cash or card.

2. “I heard rapid antigen tests are useless for detecting COVID-19”

Nope! The benefits of rapid antigen testing are:

1. Inexpensive
2. Portable
3. And fast results

Rapid antigen tests allow you to know immediately whether or not you are currently infected with COVID-19 to keep yourself and others safe.

Given the 20 minute rendering time for these test results, businesses across the world are opting to use rapid antigen tests. This is because it does not require to be processed in the lab with the whole process taking place in the kit. This is the preferred method for people who are symptomatic who want results right away at a cheaper cost.

3. “I got a negative result from my test, so I don’t have COVID-19, right?”

It depends. There are two kinds of negatives:

• True negative: This means that the test results are accurate and that you are not currently infected with the virus.
• False negative: This means that the test results incorrectly suggest a negative result, and thus requires a second test as soon as possible to ensure your status. If you feel that your tests may be a false negative, it’s highly recommended that you get a retest to confirm the result. There may have been problems in the process such as a faulty kit or incorrect handling of the sample.

The difference between PCR and rapid antigen testing is that with PCR testing, the chance of getting a false negative is very low, with an accuracy rating of 99.5%. This is why it is considered the ‘gold standard’ for COVID-19 testing which many institutions recognize around the world. Rapid antigen testing, on the other hand, is best for when you feel that someone already has an infection to give you much more reliable results. A second retest may be necessary for rapid antigen tests if you believe the person isn’t symptomatic and there isn’t enough viral load in the sample to possibly detect the virus.

Given the potential variability of testing results, we recommend you stay conscious of masking and social distancing for the protection of you and others.

4. “I already have the vaccine, so I don’t need to test.”

We highly recommend you still test if you suspect illness. Although the CDC shows that having the vaccine can reduce the spread of the virus by 91%, we highly recommend that you consider getting weekly tests.

This is for three reasons:

1. Having the vaccine does not make you immune to the virus.
2. Not everybody has the vaccine.
3. New variants are constantly appearing and spreading.

Given these variables, there is still a chance that you can get COVID-19, putting you and the others around you at risk for contracting the virus.

Therefore, we’d strongly suggest you get tested if you’re feeling any related symptoms as an extra safety precaution. 

5. “The testing process sounds difficult. Why bother?”

It’s actually pretty simple. Testing procedures for both rapid antigen tests and PCR tests are not complicated.

Depending on the tests and kit, there are oral and nasopharyngeal swabs (for the mouth and nose) to collect the samples before placing it into a solution given to you. Testing with CovX Labs makes this easy for you.

After collecting a sample from your nose, simply place it into the biohazard bag, hand it to a staff member, and wait for them to process the results before you check online.

We make testing simple and easy for you to give you a peace of mind for yourself and your family.

If you want to do COVID-19 testing for your organization you can sign up here and fill out the form where we will follow up shortly.