The result of a coronavirus detection self-test must always be confirmed by an antigenic test, in pharmacy, or PCR, in the laboratory.
Le Monde with AFP
For several weeks, the queues for performing a screening test at SARS-COV-2 are only lying as the fifth wave grows in France. Given the very strong circulation of the virus, it is no longer necessary to confirm the results of an antigenic test by an RT-PCR test, finally reported, Friday, January 7, the health authorities.
“It is no longer necessary to confirm” the antigenic test result by a PCR test, was it already advanced in a note from the Ministry of Health to health professionals, dated January 2nd. On the other hand, “autototal antigenic tests (…) must always be confirmed” by an antigenic or a PCR, said Friday the Public Health Agency France.
PCR tests are deemed more reliable, but they are often accessible by appointment and the results delivered after several hours or even the next day. The antigenic tests carried out in pharmacy give, a faster result, but they are less reliable. As for the autototes, which can be purchased in pharmacy and in supermarkets until the end of January, they can cause manipulation errors since they are not made by professionals.