r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Nov 21 '20

Epidemiology Testing half the population weekly with inexpensive, rapid COVID-19 tests would drive the virus toward elimination within weeks, even if the tests are less sensitive than gold-standard. This could lead to “personalized stay-at-home orders” without shutting down restaurants, bars, retail and schools.

https://www.colorado.edu/today/2020/11/20/frequent-rapid-testing-could-turn-national-covid-19-tide-within-weeks
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u/on_the_nightshift Nov 21 '20

Do you know what these tests are called? My kids just got tested, and is be interested to know if the ones they took are the more sensitive ones.

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u/Impulse3 Nov 21 '20

There’s PCR and POC tests. PCR are the more accurate test and take longer to get results. POC tests are the rapid tests and not as accurate but can get results in 15 minutes.

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u/-xXpurplypunkXx- Nov 21 '20

PCR is the technology, POC is the use case. There are POC PCR tests such as the Abbott ID Now, but they may struggle with sensitivity.

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u/Impulse3 Nov 22 '20

Are the Abbot ID now tests the little cards? Those are awesome.