How Long Do COVID Test Results Take?
With everything at our fingertips, society has gotten used to having immediate results. We can microwave food, use the internet to search for the closest dry cleaners, and make a pod of coffee, so we don’t have to wait for the whole pot to brew. However, results sometimes aren’t as immediate when it comes to our health, which begs the question: How long do COVID-19 results take? Well, the good news is that you can get answers quickly, depending on the type of test you take. Here’s a breakdown of how long it takes to get COVID test results.
How long do PCR test results take?
Before covering test results, it’s essential to understand what a PCR test is. This type of test will detect viral RNA and give a positive diagnosis if you’ve been infected with Coronavirus. If you’re wondering what the term PCR stands for, it stands for “polymerase chain reaction.”
When it comes to finding out your results, you will have to wait a bit. PCR test results take around three days to receive, most of the time. The downside is that your results are sent to a lab, so the length of time it takes to know whether or not you have COVID is determined by how many tests the lab receives. However, some test results are available in as little as 24 hours, if your kit gets pushed to the top of the queue.
How long do rapid test results take?
If you’re looking for a test with quicker results, you’re in luck! Rapid antigen tests will detect protein fragments that are specific to Coronavirus. Fortunately, these test results are available in as little as 15-20 minutes. Rapid tests are also beneficial if someone shows signs of having the virus. If you’ve been worrying about how long your COVID test results will take, getting a rapid test will quickly reassure you about whether or not you’ve been infected.
Where to get rapid tests in Canada
We’ve answered, “How long do COVID test results take?”, but if you want to know quickly and accurately about your health status, using a rapid test surpasses slower PCR counterparts. MyZone Health rapid tests are approved for sale in Canada and also authorized by Health Canada, so you can take your test privately with the reassurance that you are getting accurate results.
Not only will you have an answer in 20 minutes or less, but our test kits are one of the most affordable, with costs as low as $10 per test. In addition, testing is quick, secure, and reliable with MyZone Health test kits, so you can determine your health status and know how to proceed.