Covid Education

VIPrivate Care

Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 is intended to identify current infection in individuals and is performed when a person has signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or when a person is asymptomatic but has recent known or suspected exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Examples of diagnostic testing include testing symptomatic persons, testing persons identified through contact tracing efforts, and testing those who indicate that they were exposed to someone with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19

VIPrivate Care Offers
RT-PCR Testing using Biofire lab technology

LA and NY same day results M-F (Last specimen must be received by the lab at 3:00 pm on Friday.
Holiday/Weekend testing available but specimens must be maintained but no results will be
provided until Monday)
The “gold standard” for clinical diagnostic detection of SARS-CoV-2 remains RT-PCR. Thus, it may
be necessary to confirm a rapid antigen test result with a nucleic acid test, especially if the result of
the antigen test is inconsistent with the clinical context. When confirming an antigen test result with
a RT-PCR test, it is important that the time interval between collection of samples for the two tests is
less than two days, and there have not been any opportunities for new exposures between them. If
more than two days separate the two collections, or if there have been opportunities for new
exposures, the nucleic acid test should be considered a separate test – not a confirmatory test
Symptom management 98-100% accuracy

Sample Test Results

Result Summary
Viruses
	Not Detected	Adenovirus
	Not Detected	Coronavirus 229E
	Not Detected	Coronavirus HKU1
	Not Detected	Coronavirus NL63
	Not Detected	Coronavirus OC43
	Not Detected	Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
	Not Detected	Human Metapneumovirus
✓	Detected	Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus
	Not Detected	Influenza A
	Not Detected	Influenza B
	Not Detected	Parainfluenza Virus 1
	Not Detected	Parainfluenza Virus 2
✓	Detected	Parainfluenza Virus 3
	Not Detected	Parainfluenza Virus 4
	Not Detected	Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Bacteria
	Not Detected	Bordetella parapertussis (IS1001)
	Not Detected	Bordetella pertussis (ptxP)
	Not Detected	Chlamydia pneumoniae
	Not Detected	Mycoplasma pneumoniae

COVID EducationRapid Antigen

Testing Accuracy 84-97.6%

Rapid antigen tests are commonly used in the diagnosis of respiratory pathogens, including influenza
viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The FDA has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for
antigen tests that can identify SARS-CoV-2.

Antigen tests are immunoassays that detect the presence of a specific viral antigen, which implies current
viral infection. Antigen tests are currently authorized to be performed on nasopharyngeal or nasal swab
specimens placed directly into the assay’s extraction buffer or reagent. The currently authorized antigen
tests are not restricted to use on persons of a certain age.

Antigen tests are relatively inexpensive and can be used at the point-of-care. The currently authorized
devices return results in approximately 15 minutes. Antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 are generally less
sensitive than viral tests that detect nucleic acid using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR). See Proper interpretation of antigen test results is important for accurate clinical management
of patients with suspected COVID-19, or for identification of potentially infected persons when used for
screening.

The clinical performance of rapid antigen diagnostic tests largely depends on the circumstances in which
they are used. Rapid antigen tests perform best when the person is tested in the early stages of infection
with SARS-CoV-2 when viral load is generally highest. They also may be informative in diagnostic testing
situations in which the person has a known exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19. Rapid antigen
tests can be used for screening testing in high-risk congregate setting like nursing homes, offices,
schools etc. in which repeat testing could quickly identify persons with a SARS-CoV-2 infection to inform
infection prevention and control measures, thus preventing transmission. In this case, there may be value
in providing immediate results with antigen tests even though they may have lower sensitivity than
RT-PCR tests, especially in settings where a rapid turnaround time is required.

There are limited data to guide the use of rapid antigen tests as screening tests on asymptomatic
persons to detect or exclude COVID-19, or to determine whether a previously confirmed case is still
infectious.

Summary of Some Differeces between RT-PCR Tests and Antigen Tests

	RT-PCR Tests	Antigen Tests
Intended use	Detect current infection	Detect current infection
Analyte Detected	Viral RNA	Varal Antigens
Specimen Type(s)	Nasal Swab, Sputum, Saliva	Nasal Swab
Sensitivity	High	Moderate
Specificity	High	High
Test Complexity	Varies	Relatively easy to use
Authorized for Use at the Point-of-Care	Most devices are not, some devices are	Yes
Turnaround Time	Ranges from 15 minutes to > 2days	Approximately 15 minutes
Cost/Test	Moderate	Low