Episode 34: Covid 19 Testing

Season 1, Episode 34,   Feb 11, 2022, 04:00 PM

2/11/2022


Additional resources


Reminders about health, safety and cleaning guidance


Q1: What kind of COVID-19 tests are out there at the moment?

COVID-19 tests can detect either SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or antibodies that your body makes after getting COVID-19 or after getting vaccinated. Tests for SARS-CoV-2 tell you if you have an infection at the time of the test. This type of test is called a “viral” test because it looks for viral infection. Antigen or Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) are viral tests. 

Tests for antibodies may tell you if you have had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Your body creates antibodies after getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 or after getting vaccinated against COVID-19. These tests are called “antibody” or “serology” tests. 

The CDC does not currently recommend antibody testing to find out if you have COVID-19. Only viral tests are recommended to detect current COVID-19 infection.


Q2: Is it possible to get a false positive on a viral test?

NAATs, or molecular tests, are considered the most accurate form of COVID-19 testing because they detect genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are a type of NAAT. These tests are processed by certified laboratories, with most results available in 2 to 5 business days.

Unlike many other tests, PCR tests can detect the virus in the earliest stages of infection. Other tests may miss early signs of disease because there aren't enough viruses in the sample, or your body hasn't had enough time to develop an antibody response. This means the test can detect the virus even before you show symptoms of COVID-19.

Antigen testing is faster, but not as accurate. It detects proteins from the virus that causes COVID-19. This means the test is best done when you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have a lot of virus in your system. False negatives can happen if your body doesn’t have enough of the virus for an antigen test to detect. 

But overall, positive viral tests are right more than 95% of the time.


Q3: What are some of the aspects to consider in self testing for COVID-19?

COVID-19 self-tests at home are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking, and physical distancing, that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

  • A positive self-test result means that the test detected the virus, and you must isolate so as to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else. 

  • A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection, but it does not entirely rule out infection. Repeating the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, will increase the confidence that you are not infected. The best time to test is 3 to 8 following an exposure and/or when you have symptoms.


Q4: What are some things to look out for if I think I may be giving my information to a fake COVID testing site?

  • A provider asking about your nationality or immigration status.

  • A site asking for your Social Security number.

  • No notice of privacy practices provided, or no explanation for how your personal data will be used.

  • A provider demanding to see your passport or driver’s license when you have other documents that show your insurance status.

  • Employees at the site who are not wearing full protective gear.

  • Misspellings or unusual names in the URL for the website where the testing provider required you to sign up online.

  • An unsolicited call or text from the testing site. If you receive one, do not provide any personal information until you have confirmed that source of the call or text is legitimate.


Q5: Where can I go to find legitimate COVID testing sites in my local area?

If you are looking for information on where to get tested for COVID-19, you can contact your primary health care provider or visit Oregon Health Authority’s COVID testing web page at healthoregon.org/covid19testing.


Q6: At what point should I take an at-home COVID test?

People with symptoms can take a rapid antigen test immediately, experts said, but those who have had a known exposure to the virus should wait three to five days before doing so. Testing too soon, before the virus has had a chance to replicate, increases the odds of a false negative.


Q7: What has happened if self-tested results show “Invalid” or “Error”?

This means your specimen may not have been collected correctly, or the test may have malfunctioned. Invalid test results are rare but can occur. If the self-test shows an invalid result or a test error, the test did not work properly. If this happens, refer to the instructions for use in the package insert and contact the manufacturer for assistance. When in doubt about the whole process then seek professional help.


Local vaccine events


Date
Time
Location
AddressSaturday, Feb. 12 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Rosewood Initiative | 16126 SE Stark StPortland, OR
Tuesday, Feb. 15 | 2 to 8 p.m. | Lloyd Center | 1260 Lloyd CenterPortland, OR
Thursday, Feb. 17 | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Lloyd Center | 1260 Lloyd CenterPortland, OR

You can find more vaccine events at multco.us/vaccineclinics.

Document accessibility: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats such as translations, large print, or braille. Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us.


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Episode 35: Revisiting School Safety During Omicron
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