Everything you need to know about the rapid antigen test

A rapid antigen test could soon be accepted as a day five test for interstate travellers. Here’s everything you need to know about the test.

Covid-19 rapid antigen tests are in high demand as Queensland’s outbreak of Covid-19 continues with cases rising by 1,158.

The tests, which have been regarded as less accurate than a PCR test, have been used as an indication of positive cases in homes during the holiday period.

Anyone who has tested positive on a rapid antigen test would need to go and get a PCR test.

A Covid-19 rapid antigen test. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP

It comes as the day five test for travel was scrapped by Health Minister Yvette D’Ath on Tuesday.

Ms D’Ath said the state was capable of screening up to 60,000 tests a day but admitted some sites were struggling with the increased demand.

Rapid antigen tests, which could be purchased at chemists and some supermarkets and completed at home, provided a result within 15 minutes.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, has assured Queenslanders that more than half a million more rapid antigen tests would be available in community pharmacies soon.

The Guild’s Queensland President Chris Owen said although demand had increased since the border reopening, half a million further tests had been sourced.

“They are being freighted as quickly as possible to Queensland.”

“The new tests will be available in Queensland community pharmacies from January 6-7, 2022 to provide Queensland patients with peace-of-mind testing at home.”

WHAT IS A RAPID ANTIGEN TEST?

A rapid antigen test can be done at home, requiring a nose swab or saliva sample to detect proteins of Covid-19 in a person’s body.

The tests only take about 15 minutes to return a result but are not as reliable as PCR tests and are not free.

WHERE CAN I GET ONE?

Rapid antigen tests are sold at participating chemists and supermarkets, but they are in high demand and stocks are low.

HOW ACCURATE ARE THEY?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved the use of rapid antigen tests and assigned tests different levels of sensitivity.

Acceptable sensitivity has a clinical sensitivity greater than 80 per cent, high sensitivity greater than 90 per cent and very high sensitivity greater than 95 per cent.

Rapid antigen tests are not as accurate as PCR tests.

WILL THE RAPID ANTIGEN TEST REPLACE A PCR TEST?

A PCR test is still the most accurate and reliable test to detect and diagnose Covid.

There are talks to implement rapid antigen tests for interstate travellers arriving from hotspots, but not for close contacts or people with symptoms of Covid.

WHAT DO I DO IF I TEST POSITIVE ON A RAPID ANTIGEN TEST?

People who return a positive result on a rapid antigen test should present to a Covid testing clinic for a PCR test and isolate until receiving results.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY RAPID ANTIGEN TEST?

The five rapid antigen tests considered very high sensitivity by the TGA are:

• All Test SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Nasal Swab) (ICOV-502H) Self-Test
• LYHER Novel coronavirus (Covid-19) Antigen Test Kit (colloidal Gold) Self-Test
• Onsite COVID-19 Ag Self Test
• Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test
• V-Chek COVID-19 Antigen Saliva Test

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HIGH SENSITIVITY RAPID ANTIGEN TEST?

The six rapid antigen tests considered high sensitivity by the TGA are:

• All Test COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (Oral Fluid) Self-Test (ICOV-802H)
• Hough COVID-19 Home Test
• My Covid Test Antigen Rapid Test (Oral Fluid) (ICOV-802H) Self-Test
• Orawell COVID-19 Ag Rapid saliva test device (Self-test)
• RightSign COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette (Nasal Swab)
• TESTSEALABS COVID-19 Antigen Test Cassette

WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN ACCEPTABLE SENSITIVITY RAPID ANTIGEN TEST?

The four rapid antigen tests considered acceptable sensitivity by the TGA are:

• CareStart COVID-19 Antigen Home Test
• Ecotest COVID-19 Antigen Saliva Test kit (COV-S35Pen)
• InnoScreen COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device (Self Test)
• SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal