Rapid test pilot program appears to be a success
Posted Dec 2, 2020 07:55:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A pilot program to test asymptomatic people appears to be a success.
At a Tuesday briefing, Premier Stephen McNeil said thousands of Nova Scotians have received a rapid COVID test at pop up sites in various locations throughout Halifax, Dartmouth and Wolfville, some lining up for hours in less than ideal weather conditions to get their results.
“By getting tested, you are helping those around you and you are keeping your community safe,” McNeil said.
In an interview last week, Dalhousie University infectious disease specialist, Dr. Lisa Barrett, explained the rapid tests aren't as sensitive as the tests being done in Nova Scotia Health Authority's official labs.
She said, as a result, there's a higher likelihood it won't detect the virus in those who have only recently been infected.
There's also a higher risk of false-positive results, which is why each positive result needs to be validated with a second test from through the lab.
Barrett said rapid tests aren't perfect, but they're a great way to screen people and potentially detect cases in those who otherwise might not know they have the virus.
As of Tuesday, 5,477 people without symptoms had been given a rapid test and 21 of the results came back positive, however the province's chief medical officer of health said at least two of those ended up being false-positives.
“But those initial results allow us to take rapid action,” Dr. Robert Strang explained. “If people are positive, they're told to isolate until they get their confirmatory test.”
He said health officials across the country are starting to pay more attention to asymptomatic testing.
Free pop-up testing for those without symptoms will take place Wednesday and Thursday from 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Canada Game Centre.
