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Private COVID tests. There’s an upper limit to testing capacity, and optimistically the government allocates that capacity in the way it thinks it will do the

Private COVID tests. There’s an upper limit to testing capacity, and optimistically the government allocates that capacity in the way it thinks it will do the most good. They’re worried about processing tests from care homes, healthcare workers, suspected positive patients, outbreaks, etc... not old people that want to go to Florida for vacation. But that doesn’t preclude finding a private company that will test you, but the government isn’t going to pay for non-medically-necessary medical treatment and testing from a private company.

thatguy0900 6y ago
In the US I just went to a local er and got a 30 min response quick test for 25$ because I felt like my throat was a little itchy, not for any real reason. Are you saying that this wouldn't be an option in Canada? That seems really surprising to me
- monkeybutton 6y ago
  If you experiencing symptoms, the test is free and available through the public system.
  - deskamess 6y ago
    Yes, but how soon do you get results. Is it instantaneous or do they call/text your the results?
    - na85 6y ago
      Depends on which test you get but I've seen people who work for me get both same-day results and results within 72 hours.
    - nucleardog 6y ago
      In case you're actually curious (even though this is like two weeks later): Despite never leaving the house I woke up with little to no smell/taste the other day and while it was likely some random sinus infection or something, given the vulnerable people I live with I isolated and immediately got tested. Went online and scheduled an appointment for an hour later. (They had sooner, but I took that one.) Drive through test. Just had to provide my usual identification for healthcare (provincial health card), but there was no screening as far as whether I really needed it since the labs aren't really backed up right now. About 20 hours later got a text with the result in the middle of the night. From "Maybe I have covid?" to getting a PCR test result was 21 hours and $0. A antigen test would only take an hour or two, but be much less accurate. As far as PCR testing, no complaints here. Only had to spend one night sleeping on the couch in the basement before knowing I wasn't going to infect and kill my family.
- daniellarusso 6y ago
  This is not normal in the US in my experience.
- Kluny 6y ago
  Certainly it's an option in Canada. You call the 811 line and say "I coughed" and they have you in for testing later that day. I've done it twice since March. The only use-case for private testing I can imagine is if you need to schedule a test on demand for a border crossing or other specific situation.
- Reason077 6y ago
  A 30 minute rapid test (aka: lateral flow / antigen test) isn't a reliable way to test for Covid. These tests return a high rate of false negatives. You need to get a lab PCR test if you want an accurate result. Most countries that require Covid tests before travel require a PCR test for that reason.

thatguy0900 6y ago

In the US I just went to a local er and got a 30 min response quick test for 25$ because I felt like my throat was a little itchy, not for any real reason. Are you saying that this wouldn't be an option in Canada? That seems really surprising to me

monkeybutton 6y ago
If you experiencing symptoms, the test is free and available through the public system.
- deskamess 6y ago
  Yes, but how soon do you get results. Is it instantaneous or do they call/text your the results?
  - na85 6y ago
    Depends on which test you get but I've seen people who work for me get both same-day results and results within 72 hours.
  - nucleardog 6y ago
    In case you're actually curious (even though this is like two weeks later): Despite never leaving the house I woke up with little to no smell/taste the other day and while it was likely some random sinus infection or something, given the vulnerable people I live with I isolated and immediately got tested. Went online and scheduled an appointment for an hour later. (They had sooner, but I took that one.) Drive through test. Just had to provide my usual identification for healthcare (provincial health card), but there was no screening as far as whether I really needed it since the labs aren't really backed up right now. About 20 hours later got a text with the result in the middle of the night. From "Maybe I have covid?" to getting a PCR test result was 21 hours and $0. A antigen test would only take an hour or two, but be much less accurate. As far as PCR testing, no complaints here. Only had to spend one night sleeping on the couch in the basement before knowing I wasn't going to infect and kill my family.
daniellarusso 6y ago
This is not normal in the US in my experience.
Kluny 6y ago
Certainly it's an option in Canada. You call the 811 line and say "I coughed" and they have you in for testing later that day. I've done it twice since March. The only use-case for private testing I can imagine is if you need to schedule a test on demand for a border crossing or other specific situation.
Reason077 6y ago
A 30 minute rapid test (aka: lateral flow / antigen test) isn't a reliable way to test for Covid. These tests return a high rate of false negatives. You need to get a lab PCR test if you want an accurate result. Most countries that require Covid tests before travel require a PCR test for that reason.