Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021
Are all PCR COVID-19 tests being taken off the market?
Only a few of the many PCR COVID-19 tests, which are used to detect whether people are carrying the coronavirus that causes the disease, have been taken off the market. Quidel is one such company that had its COVID-19 PCR tests recalled in July 2021 after it was found that patients with high amounts of the coronavirus were testing negative for COVID-19 with its tests due to faulty instruments.
Despite this, as Reuters reports, there is no evidence that all PCR tests are being taken off the market or that COVID-19 cases were "falsified."
Companies making the alternative COVID-19 antigen tests have been experiencing more recalls. While antigen tests produce results more quickly, PCR tests are more accurate. Both Innova and Ellume, COVID-19 antigen test-making companies, had their tests recalled by the FDA due to the risk of false results.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Food and Drug Administration Quidel Recalls Lyra SARS-CoV-2 Assay (M120) Due to Risk of False Negative Results
- Food and Drug Administration Innova Medical Group Recalls Unauthorized SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test with Risk of False Test Results
- Food and Drug Administration Potential for False Positive Results with Certain Lots of Ellume COVID-19 Home Tests Due to a Manufacturing Issue: FDA Safety Communication
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment Two major types of tests are available for COVID-19: PCR and Antigen
- Reuters Fact Check-FDA did not recall all COVID-19 PCR tests
- The Conversation What’s the difference between a PCR and antigen COVID-19 test? A molecular biologist explains
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Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by Gigafact contributor publications.
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