COVID-19 Testing

Who should get a Rapid PCR test?

• Proof of infection status prior to travel 
• Fully vaccinated people after 3 to 5 days after a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
• Unvaccinated people who could not physically distance themselves and took part in high risk activities 
• Anyone with active symptoms

A Rapid PCR test is a quick nasal swab from both nostrils. There are 3 different methods for nasal collection:

• Nasopharyngeal- this is the method we will be using for your appointment at homestead community pharmacy- a health care professional will insert a long swab deep into your nostril to collect fluid from the back of your nose
• Mid-turbinate- this method is self administered- using a soft swab straight back into the nostril an inch or less to collect a sample
• Anterior nasal swab- self administered or health caree professional administered, put a swab ¾ of an inch into the nostril and twirling the swab around at least 4 times to get a sample 

*Generally the deeper you go for a sample, the higher the sensitivity of the specimen  

The Rapid PCR test looks for genetic material from the virus and the test uses chemicals to reproduce copies of the viral realteed DNA from the smallest sample. This test is highly sensitive leading to very few false negatives. False negatives mean a test that is negative, but should have been positive. 

Rapid PCR tests must be sent to a lab, so results can take a little while depending on how long it takes the lab to process the results