by: lisa cordasco
after testing positive for covid-19 through a take-home rapid antigen test, matt cassola followed the instructions and filled out an online form to report his test result to vancouver coastal health. but he was “shocked” to discover that the result would not be included in b.c.’s daily case count.
“they told me that the form i filled out was only for contact tracing and was not for the daily numbers. they also informed me that there was no point getting a pcr test as the rapid test was enough,” said cassola, 35.
on monday, b.c. reported that 6,288 news cases of covid-19 were confirmed over a three-day period, starting on christmas eve. cassola’s positive result was not included in that total.
a group of independent scientists are concerned that not including results from rapid antigen tests could prevent authorities from understanding the scope of the pandemic and how to manage it.
jens von bergmann, a data analyst and member of the covid-19 modelling group, said he supports the online survey to report positive rapid test results but he’s concerned those reports will not be shared publicly.
“the results of the rapid tests are not reported, at least not publicly. so there is uncertainty about the size of this,” von bergmann said. “given these uncertainties, if cases don’t rise as much, is it because of the restrictions or is it because we have maxed out on testing capacity and reporting? we do not have much margin for error. it could be that the current restrictions are enough but if not, that could have very dire consequences.”