Instead, the antigen tests, as with PCR, test for the virus itself. These antibodies can take some time to show up in your system, so blood tests are not good at picking up early infections (which is also when people are most infectious). The rapid antigen tests are not the finger-prick antibody tests you might have heard about early in the pandemic – those test our blood for the virus-killing proteins made by our immune system after it encounters the virus. Credit: Kate Geraghty What are rapid tests and how are they different from other tests? Rapid antigen tests can now be bought at supermarkets and pharmacies. “We can’t have a situation where people get a PCR and clog up the system simply because they couldn’t afford or couldn’t locate a rapid test,” says NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns.īut what is the difference between the two COVID-19 tests? And when do you have to join the hordes seeking a PCR test? The US government, facing major supply headaches of its own just as Omicron cases are soaring, has pledged to fund half-a-billion free rapid tests, for example. Business and union groups, and now NSW Labor, have called for the federal government to subsidise rapid tests as it does PCR tests to ensure more Australians can use them. Meanwhile, high demand for rapid tests and global supply chain issues are leaving some shelves bare – and sometimes pushing up prices. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has already said she will consider moving away from PCR tests to requiring only a rapid test to enter the state after January 1. “Rapid antigen testing in those situations would certainly be a more effective option.” Now, that needs to be looked at,” Scott Morrison says. “One of the big reasons we’ve got those queues in Victoria and NSW is you’ve got people who are required to get PCR tests before they travel into other states. (Western Australia has, in effect, shut its border.) But rapid results help health authorities screen for cases faster, cutting off the virus’ spread, and lightening the load on PCR labs.Īhead of Christmas, the Prime Minister says one in four people waiting for PCR tests was not a close contact of a case or showing symptoms, but rather was trying to comply with travel rules imposed by South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. PCR tests are still considered “the gold standard” in COVID-19 detection. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text sizeĪs thousands wait in long queues for the PCR Q-tip ahead of Christmas, many are turning to the 15-minute rapid antigen tests sold over the counter.
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