GENERALLY. DPH ADVISES RESIDENTS TO GET A COVID TEST UNDER TWO YKE SCENARIOS. ONE, IF THEY EXHIBIT COVID9-1 SYMPTOMS AND T,WO IF THERE IS CONFIRMED CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID-19 IN LINE WITH THE UPDATED ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE GUIDELINES. WITH THE NEW QUARANTINE GUIDELINES DPH RECOMNDS METBU DOES NOT REQUIRE ALL EXPEDOS INDIVIDUALS GET STA TE FIVE DAYS AFTER EXPOSURE. DPH MAKES CLEAR THE RAPID TESTS IN MOST SITUATIONS ARE A VERY GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO PCR TESTS. PCR TESTS ARE FREQUENTLY USED AT DRIVE-THRU AND ON-SITE TESTING FACILITIES. THEY CAN TAKE UP TO 24 TO 72 HOURS TO PRODUCE RESULTS, WHILE RAPID TESTS CAN TURN RESULTS AROUND IN 15 MINUTES. RADPI TESTS ARE HIGHLY ACCURATE AT DETERMINING WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IS AT THEIR MOST TRANSMISSIBLE PERIOD OF COVID-19, CAN THEY HAVE ADVANTAGES TO PCR TESTING, ESPECIALLY AT THIS POINT IN THE PANDEMIC. BECAE USOF THIS, DPH ADVISES A POSITIVE COVID-19 RAPID ANTINGE TEST DOES NOT NEED TO BE CONFIRMED WITH A PCR TESTS. WE HAVE HEARD FROM MANY TESTING SITES THAT THEY ARE SEEING INCREASING VOLUMES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE SEEKING PCR TESTS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF EMPLOYER OR SCHLOO OR CHILDCARE CENTER IS REQUIRING A PCR TESTS TO RERNTU FROM ISOLATION RECOMMEND EMPLOYERS OR SCHOOLS OR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS REQUIRE A TEST TO RETURN FROM ISOLATION TEAFR HAVING COVID. HOWEVER, IF THEY DO REQUIRE TEINSTG, DPH RECOMMENDS THEY DO NOT REQUIRE A PCR TESTS. WE KNOW MANY TESTING SITES HEAV SEEN INCREASED VOLUMESVE OR THE PAST FEW WEEKS AS WE DEAL WITH THIS CURRENT SURGE. PEOPLE SEEKING TEST SHOULD REMEMBERPH D ADVISES YOU SHOULD ONLY GET A
When should you get a COVID-19 PCR test? Massachusetts DPH updates reccomendations
Gov. Baker: Rapid tests are ‘a very good alternative’
With COVID-19 testing in high demand as the infectious omicron variant drives the pandemic through a new surge, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Tuesday issued new recommendations about when individuals should seek a PCR test. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the updated guidance on Tuesday. He said the DPH is advising residents to get tested under two scenarios:”One, if they’re exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, and two, if they’re confirmed close contact of someone who has COVID-19,” said Baker. “With the new quarantine guidelines, which recommends, but doesn’t require that all exposed individuals get a test five after exposure.”That may sound familiar, but Baker also said Tuesday that DPH now considers at-home rapid tests “a very good alternative to PCR tests.” The governor said state officials had ordered 26 million more rapid tests, primarily to support teachers, students and child care centers.Under the guidance explained by Baker on Tuesday, positive rapid tests do not need to be confirmed by a PCR test. “Rapid tests are highly accurate at determining when an individual is at their most transmissible period of COVID-19, and they have many advantages to PCR testing, especially at this point in the pandemic. Because of this, advice advises that a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.”DPH does recommend that symptomatic individuals who test negative on a rapid test should isolate and either repeat the rapid test or get a PCR test after 24-48 hours, if they continue to be symptomatic. Baker also said the DPH does not support workplaces or schools requiring individuals to submit negative PCR test results to return from isolation. “However, if they do require testing, DPH recommends they do not require a PCR test,” said Baker. “We know that many testing sites have seen increased volumes over the past few weeks as we deal with this current surge. People seeking tests should remember the DPH advises that you should only get a test if you’re symptomatic or confirm close contact.”
BOSTON —
With COVID-19 testing in high demand as the infectious omicron variant drives the pandemic through a new surge, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Tuesday issued new recommendations about when individuals should seek a PCR test.
Gov. Charlie Baker announced the updated guidance on Tuesday. He said the DPH is advising residents to get tested under two scenarios:
“One, if they’re exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, and two, if they’re confirmed close contact of someone who has COVID-19,” said Baker. “With the new quarantine guidelines, which recommends, but doesn’t require that all exposed individuals get a test five after exposure.”
That may sound familiar, but Baker also said Tuesday that DPH now considers at-home rapid tests “a very good alternative to PCR tests.” The governor said state officials had ordered 26 million more rapid tests, primarily to support teachers, students and child care centers.
Under the guidance explained by Baker on Tuesday, positive rapid tests do not need to be confirmed by a PCR test.
“Rapid tests are highly accurate at determining when an individual is at their most transmissible period of COVID-19, and they have many advantages to PCR testing, especially at this point in the pandemic. Because of this, advice advises that a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.”
DPH does recommend that symptomatic individuals who test negative on a rapid test should isolate and either repeat the rapid test or get a PCR test after 24-48 hours, if they continue to be symptomatic.
Baker also said the DPH does not support workplaces or schools requiring individuals to submit negative PCR test results to return from isolation.
“However, if they do require testing, DPH recommends they do not require a PCR test,” said Baker. “We know that many testing sites have seen increased volumes over the past few weeks as we deal with this current surge. People seeking tests should remember the DPH advises that you should only get a test if you’re symptomatic or confirm close contact.”