The California Department of Public Health said in a statement: “A positive self-test can stand on its own to diagnose someone with COVID-19,” adding that some home tests provide a way to report results. “They’re probably not going to confirm with a PCR test.” “People know how to deal with it,” said George Rutherford, an infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco. While public health officials often ask people who test positive at home to get a PCR test, many people may not take the time to do so, especially if they are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. “We don’t know how large a problem that is.” “It definitely will underrepresent how many people are infected,” said John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, of the official state data. That’s because the results of the more accurate “PCR” tests done by private and county labs are reflected in California’s COVID-19 data, but the results of rapid tests people take at home are not, which could mean a major undercount. While health experts say testing is a valuable tool for keeping people safe, all those nasal swabs happening at home this week could actually pose a challenge when it comes to the state’s COVID-19 data and our understanding of exactly where and how the virus is spreading. Lines at testing sites across the Bay Area are long, and some places that welcomed walk-ins are now requiring appointments as demand outstrips availability at certain locations. The following labs across Costa Rica have been authorized to conduct antigen tests, per the Health Ministry.With the omicron variant spreading quickly even among vaccinated people, and pandemic-weary families eager to gather for the holidays, at-home COVID tests are flying off the shelves as fast as stores can stock them. Labs highlighted in orange in that document also offer antigen tests. Where to get a Covid test in Costa RicaĬlick here for a list of 130-plus labs that offer PCR testing for tourists across Costa Rica. Policies change frequently, so we recommend checking with your country or state’s health department before testing. Passengers must be tested with a viral test that could be either an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), and transcription-mediated amplification (TMA).Īntigen tests do not meet Canada’s entry requirements. Many countries require a PCR test for entry but will not accept antigen tests.Īntigen tests do meet the United States’s entry requirements. These cost ¢59,000 (about $97) but are available to anyone, including non-travelers. Hospital Metropolitano also offers PCR tests with results promised within 48 hours. However, they are approved in Costa Rica for international travelers proof of a flight within 72 hours is necessary for the test. The sample is collected using a nasal swab, similar to PCR tests.Īntigen tests are not authorized for widespread use in Costa Rica, as they can be less accurate than PCR tests. The antigen test detects proteins related to the virus. Results are guaranteed within eight hours for tests conducted in the San José area.Īn appointment is not necessary. The antigen test at Hospital Metropolitano costs 33,000 colones (about $55), and the hospital is promising results within 12 hours. In doing so, they join Laboratorios Echandi, Hospital Clinica Biblica, Laboratorios Páez, Laboratorios Clínicos San José and a growing number of private labs across Costa Rica that provide the faster and cheaper coronavirus tests. citizens who need a negative result in order to return to their home country. Hospital Metropolitano is now offering rapid antigen tests for U.S.
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