Point of Care (PoC) Quick Facts
“Antigen Point of Care Testing” = Rapid Antigen Screening
- Differs from antibody and diagnostic [molecular] test
- Only to be used in asymptomatic individuals
- Symptomatic individuals should seek a diagnostic test
Rapid testing not recommended for fully vaccinated individuals
- 1-3 x’s/week for unvaccinated
- Not useful in an ‘outbreak’ situation
- PoC antigen tests not required to conform to Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act
- Positive result must be confirmed with a molecular test
- Cannot travel with a ‘negative’ rapid test result; must utilize a molecular method
Molecular Testing
Diagnostic test, viral test, molecular test, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), RT-PCR test, LAMP test
- Nasal swabs, either shallow or deep (most tests) or Saliva (some tests)
-
- 1h
- Same day
- 24-72 h
-
- No further testing required
- Diagnoses active cases only
- Won’t identify prior infection
Antigen Testing
- Viral test, rapid test
- Nasal or nasopharyngeal swab (most tests)
- 15-30 min
- Positive results are usually highly accurate, but false positives occur. Confirm with molecular test.
- Indicates active COVID-19 infection.
- If you have early COVID-19 onset, or if you previously had COVID-19 (>90 d)
Antibody
- Serological test, serology, blood test, serology test
- Blood from a fingerstick or vein
- Not typically; indicates previous infection
- Same day
- 24-72 h
- Previous infection status
- Not a real-time confirmation tool
Costs of Testing
| PCR | NAAT | Antibody | Antigen | |
| Life Labs | 199 +HST | 199 +HST | 75 +HST | – |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | 199 +HST | – | – | 40 +HST |
| Viscount Station | 199 +HST | 199 +HST | – | – |
| Chatham Family Pharmacy | – | 159 +HST | – | 75 +HST |
| Hauser Pharmacy (Hamilton) | 160 +HST | – | – | ? |
| Brady’s Drug Store (Essex) | 200 +HST | – | – | – |
