antigen tests

Maybe you’re an essential worker, you’re going to visit Grandma, or you just want the peace of mind a negative COVID-19 test can bring. A rapid antigen test might seem like a great idea when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to wait a few days for results, but those tests are really designed for people with...

A rapid antigen test might seem like a great idea when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to wait a few days for results, but those tests are really designed for people with COVID-19 symptoms and in asymptomatic patients can deliver false positive results.

The federal government has started sending new COVID-19 testing systems to nursing homes around the country in hopes that the rapid results provided by antigen tests will slow the spread of the virus. Long-term care facilities certainly welcome that assistance, but some have major concerns about those tests. “Antigen testing is useful for positive rapid results. But at the same…