The Utah Department of Health announced Sunday that it will temporarily halt the use of on-site rapid antigen tests at all state-operated COVID-19 testing sites beginning Monday.
The move comes after data analyzed by UDOH raised questions about the reliability of GenBody rapid antigen test results. The rapid tests were offered at sites run by UDOH mobile test teams, TestUtah and TourHealth.
An analysis of about 18,000 Utah residents who received GenBody rapid tests and PCR tests at state sites on the same day found that, of those who tested positive on a PCR test, more than half tested negative on the GenBody tests.
Even while acknowledging that rapid antigen tests are less likely to identify positive individuals, UDOH deemed this discrepancy to be “higher than expected.”
“Within the past few weeks, UDOH mobile test teams began using the GenBody rapid antigen test. These teams reported a trend of higher-than-expected negative results from this specific rapid antigen test,” state epidemiologist Leisha Nolen said in a statement.
“This prompted our analysis across a broader timeline and the results motivated our decision to temporarily pause the use of this test,” Nolen’s statement continued. “This step is necessary to ensure people receive accurate test results.”
The sites will still conduct PCR testing and offer at-home tests to anyone who receives a PCR test but may want to receive results faster.
People who received a negative rapid test result at a state testing site between Wednesday and Sunday are asked to consider returning to a state testing site to receive a PCR test, UDOH advised.
UDOH noted that the same analysis found positive rapid test results to be “extremely reliable,” so anyone who tested positive on a rapid test can trust that result.
Another analysis was conducted comparing results of those who received both a PCR test and a BinaxNow rapid antigen test, according to UDOH. That comparison yielded better results, with less than one-third getting a negative rapid antigen result compared to positive PCR test results.
However, UDOH noted, there has been a nationwide shortage of these more accurate tests, and UDOH’s access to them remains limited.
The BinaxNow tests may be reintroduced at Utah testing sites should the state’s supply chain stabilize.
“Throughout the response, we have worked to provide Utahns with access to appropriate testing resources,” UDOH executive director Nate Checketts said in a statement. “We use tests that have been reviewed and authorized by the appropriate federal agencies.”
“In this case, recent data raised questions about how one of these tests is functioning in our current testing system,” his statement continued. “While we seek additional information to address these questions, we are shifting our testing efforts accordingly. It’s the right thing to do right now. We are committed to being transparent in this continually changing environment.”
— This story is developing and will be updated.
from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/HLlqZ20
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