COVID-19 tests have specific expected rates of false positives and negatives
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 98/100
COVID-19 diagnostic tests have well-documented rates of false positives and negatives, which vary depending on factors such as the timing of the test relative to symptom onset, viral load, and disease prevalence.
Evidence for · 5
Pathophysiology, Transmission, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
2020 · cited by 4,821
The study notes that false-negative RT-PCR results may occur in up to 20% to 67% of patients depending on the quality and timing of testing.
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More for · 4
Rapid, point-of-care antigen and molecular-based tests for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection
2020 · cited by 1,261
The review details specific ranges for false-negative and false-positive rates for antigen tests depending on symptom status and disease prevalence.
False-negative results of initial RT-PCR assays for COVID-19: A systematic review
2020 · cited by 695
This systematic review calculates pooled estimates and prediction intervals for initial RT-PCR false-negative rates in COVID-19 testing.
Scaling up COVID-19 rapid antigen tests: promises and challenges
2021 · cited by 284
The paper discusses expected false-negative rates when viral loads decrease and false-positive rates in low-prevalence settings.
False negative rate of COVID-19 PCR testing: a discordant testing analysis
2021 · cited by 219
The analysis evaluates the false-negative rate and sensitivity of RT-PCR assays, finding specific discordant test percentages.