QDEL - NIH study suggests antigen tests and PCR tests are equally effective in detecting COVID-19

Hoptocopter/E+ via Getty Images Citing a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Health says that both rapid antigen tests and PCR molecular tests have a high rate of sensitivity in detecting COVID-19. The PCR tests, considered the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19, are more sensitive than antigen tests in the early stage of the infection. However, the sensitivity of both testing methods approaches 98% when they are taken regularly, according to the study funded by NIH. Noting that antigen tests at home and point of care are less costly, and they can provide faster results, NIH points out the importance of antigen tests as “a highly effective screening tool” in the prevention of COVID-19 outbreaks. Early this month, COVID-19 test makers traded lower after Abbott Laboratories ([[ABT]] -1.3%) lowered its 2021 guidance citing the impact of vaccine rollout on demand for COVID-19 diagnostic tests. At

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NIH study suggests antigen tests and PCR tests are equally effective in detecting COVID-19