COVID-19 Rapid Testing Devices Authorized by Health Canada

PCR is the acronym for polymerase chain reaction. PCR testing is nucleic acid-based testing, which is also called molecular testing. Molecular tests detect the virus genetic material (nucleic acids).

This type of test is considered the global gold standard to diagnose active COVID-19 infection in symptomatic patients. In Canada, PCR tests are used by public health laboratories to diagnose COVID-19 infection.

Health Canada has authorized a number of diagnostic tests using nucleic acid technology. These tests are listed on the Health Canada website and are authorized for use in the lab and at point-of-care.

A test swab may be used to collect a sample for PCR testing in laboratories or at a point-of-care facility. Point-of-care testing can be done directly in a hospital or doctor’s office. The deep test swabs are used to collect samples from the oral or nasal cavities.

Once the sample has been taken, the swab is either placed:

• in a preserving liquid and sent to a laboratory for testing or
• placed directly in a testing device (point-of-care)

Depending on where you live in Canada, PCR testing for COVID-19 may not currently be available to asymptomatic people. Many jurisdictions have had to restrict testing to symptomatic people in order to reduce the demands on the provincial health care systems.