Why your negative rapid test doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to go to that holiday dinner

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With rapid COVID-19 tests, a positive is a positive but a negative result one day is not a guarantee you don’t have the virus, or won’t spread it to others at a later date, experts caution.

By Ben CohenStaff Reporter

Mon., Dec. 20, 2021timer4 min. read

 

updateArticle was updated 53 mins ago

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If you plan on taking a rapid COVID test for peace of mind before heading to a holiday party or family dinner this week, experts urge you not to drop your guard if you see a negative result.

Rapid tests are reliable when they come back positive, experts say. A negative result, on the other hand, could mean several things — none of which guarantee you don’t have COVID, or won’t spread it.

“With a rapid test, a positive is a positive,” said Dr. Eric Arts, a virologist and immunology professor at Western University. “A negative is not a definitive negative. You may still be infected, regardless of what the rapid test shows you.”

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He added: “A sense of security doesn’t exist,”

For one, a negative rapid test result could be a false negative. That happens more often with rapid tests than the PCR tests done at assessment centres, which are more accurate but still not infallible.

It could also be the result of improper sample collection — it’s common for people to miss the part of their nose or upper respiratory tract the virus is replicating while taking a swab, Arts said.

It’s also not uncommon for people infected with COVID-19 — even displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, tiredness and loss of taste or smell — to test negative for days before later testing positive.

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All this applies to double or even triple-vaccinated people, too. Vaccines no longer offer the same protection against being infected by the Omicron variant as with previous variants.

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https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/12/20/why-your-rapid-test-negative-doesnt-necessarily-mean-its-safe-to-go-to-that-holiday-dinner.html?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=discover&utm_campaign=CCwqFggwKg4IACoGCAow6bV4MPfJDDD35i4w5Iw1&utm_content=related