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.”
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:
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“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.”