Rapid tests are both cheaper and faster

As a family physician, I have been telling my patients and colleagues about the value of the widespread use of Rapid Antigen testing which, for at least one type, costs $5 per test. These detect proteins from the virus and whether a person has antibodies against it. The regular PCR lab test costs $135 per test to confirm the illness. It does not tell you if you are infectious.

We should all have access to these cheap rapid tests to do at home weekly and, if positive, it means we are infectious and should avoid contact with others.

Dr. Farook Oosman, Calgary