Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid (antigen) tests for COVID-19 both involve taking a swab. Results for a PCR test take longer, as it needs to go to a laboratory. It is more costly but tends to ...

China continues to ease coronavirus-related travel protocols as the country announced inbound international tourists will no longer need to provide a negative PCR test, starting on April 29. According ...

FDA-authorized test for home use is the most affordable PCR-quality rapid test on the market and at least 50 times more sensitive than leading rapid antigen tests Detect’s FDA authorized PCR-quality ...

With Omicron subvariants continuing to evolve and spread, more and more people are testing positive for COVID across the US and Illinois. As of the latest update, eight counties in Illinois were ...

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test detects genetic material from a pathogen or abnormal cell sample. Ways of collecting samples include a nasal swab, a saliva swab, or taking a sample of blood.

Ducharme is a contributor to TIME. A medical worker performs a COVID-19 test at a screening center in Saint-Denis, France, on Nov. 4, 2020. Ducharme is a contributor to TIME. If you had COVID-19 ...

Researchers often call the polymerase chain reaction test – known as the PCR test – "the gold standard" for detecting the COVID-19 virus. The test is considered highly reliable and effective, and it ...