COVID-19 screening

Service Description

These tests are intended for anyone who is asymptomatic, i.e. has no symptoms of a potential COVID-19 infection (loss of smell, cough, fever, muscle aches, etc.). Performed by a nurse using the Panbio™ device, this test detects the presence of proteins on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. In just 15 minutes, the antigen test can determine whether a person is “presumed to be infected” with COVID-19 and must therefore quickly isolate themselves to minimize the risk of transmission. However, it is important to specify that a positive result from an antigen test does NOT guarantee that the patient has contracted COVID-19. As Health Canada indicates, if a person obtains a positive result, the diagnosis must be confirmed using a PCR test. RAPID ANTIGEN DETECTION TEST The rapid antigen detection test that gives a result in 15 minutes and acts as an indication, the diagnosis of which must then be confirmed by a PCR test if the result is positive. PCR TEST The molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test detects the presence of the virus by amplifying the viral genetic material to detectable levels (in English, polymerase chain reaction "PCR" or in French. It is the most reliable test for detecting the presence of viruses.