Dear @CDCgov - Why can't you learn?

The paper concludes rapid Antigen tests had only 40% sensitivity in Asymptomatics

But failed to state they had 100% SENSITIVITY for what matters - culture +ve viable virus in Asymptomatics

PCR, not Ag, is wrong tool for Asymptomatic screens https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1344708066663690242

The problem is simple

PCR remains +ve for long time after infectious

Meanwhile Ag tests are +ve only when infectious

If testing Asymptomatics randomly (vs. repeatedly) - they are MOST likely to be found post-infectious -> EXPECT Ag to be -ve MOST of time someone is PCR +ve

The very paper @CDCgov links to that concludes rapid Ag tests do not perform well in Asymptomatics literally shows 100% sensitivity for culture +ve samples in Asymptomatics

Massive failure to not emphasize this for asymptomatic screening.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm695152a3.htm

In these studies we MUST DEFINE WHY WE ARE TESTING.

This is common sense.

If the authors had defined the goal of their testing - they would have recognized the rapid Ag test performed very well - actually 100% in their study.

Instead, they got lost and concluded it failed.