Ruth Haines
Toronto Pearson International Airport offers COVID-19 testing at its Healthy Travel clinic, in collaboration with Switch Health. The airport has also conducted studies on the efficacy of rapid antigen testing, with one study offering rapid antigen testing to eligible departing travellers. However, it is unclear whether rapid antigen testing is currently available at the airport for travellers. International travellers should check with their airline and destination country for COVID-19 guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Toronto Pearson International Airport |
| Testing Provider | Switch Health |
| Test Type | Rapid antigen test |
| Test Cost | $6 |
| Turnaround Time | 2 hours |
| Availability | Available to all airport employees and eligible departing travellers |
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What You'll Learn
Rapid antigen tests were previously available for free at Pearson Airport
The antigen tests were provided by Canadian company Response Biomedical and were not yet approved by Health Canada at the time of the study. The rapid PCR tests, on the other hand, were approved by Health Canada and provided by Canadian company LuminUltra. Up to 750 employees at the airport also participated in a second study, receiving the Panbio rapid antigen test by Abbott three times a week for the duration of the study.
The GTAA stated that the research would allow for widescale workplace testing and contribute substantial new scientific data to the fight against COVID-19. Dwayne Macintosh, the airport's director of corporate safety and security, said that the comparison of results would help demonstrate if the less expensive antigen test is a suitable way to check for the coronavirus in a busy commercial setting.
It is important to note that while antigen tests are generally cheaper and faster, they are also known to be less accurate than PCR tests. PCR tests detect the virus's genetic material and are highly accurate but are more expensive and slower to produce results. Antigen tests, on the other hand, detect specific protein fragments from the virus.
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The tests were part of a research study
Toronto Pearson International Airport has collaborated with Switch Health to provide COVID-19 testing at the airport's Healthy Travel clinic. The airport also launched a new research study on 1 March 2021, comparing the efficacy of two types of COVID-19 tests: antigen testing and rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The study was available to airport employees and eligible departing travellers who volunteered.
The antigen test by Canadian company Response Biomedical has not yet been approved by Health Canada. The rapid PCR test, on the other hand, is a Health Canada-approved test by Canadian company LuminUltra. The research program was supported by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
The study aimed to test the efficacy of the antigen test by comparing its results with the approved PCR test. Antigen tests are cheaper at $6 and detect protein fragments, but are known to be inaccurate. PCR tests, which detect the virus's genetic material, are highly accurate but expensive, costing about $100, and generally slow to produce results. Dwayne Macintosh, the airport's director of corporate safety and security, said that the comparison of the results would help demonstrate if the less expensive antigen test is a suitable way to check for the coronavirus in a busy commercial setting.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) stated that the research would allow for widescale workplace testing and contribute substantial new scientific data to the body of knowledge used to fight the disease. Deborah Flint, the CEO of the GTAA, emphasised that the research would improve access to testing, enabling better identification, tracing, and isolation of COVID-19.
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Participants received both an antigen and a PCR test
Toronto Pearson International Airport offers COVID-19 testing at its Healthy Travel clinic, in collaboration with Switch Health. However, it is unclear whether rapid antigen tests are available at the airport. A study launched in February 2021 aimed to compare rapid antigen tests with rapid polymerase chain reaction tests (PCR tests). The research was intended to enable widescale workplace testing and improve access to testing, identification, tracing, and isolation of COVID-19.
Now, focusing on instances where participants received both an antigen and a PCR test:
Validation of Antigen and PCR Tests in Asymptomatic Populations
A study performed at the University of Navarra, Spain, evaluated the Roche SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic adults. The study included 2,543 participants who were randomly selected from 16,869 staff and students. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected by trained nurses, and the rapid antigen test and RT-PCR test were simultaneously performed. The antigen test was found to be 96.52% sensitive and 99.68% specific.
SARS-CoV-2 PCR and Antibody Testing in a Rural Community
A study conducted in a rural community aimed to evaluate the feasibility of high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 PCR and antibody testing procedures. A total of 1,847 participants were tested over five days, with 1,840 receiving both PCR and antibody tests. Participants provided blood samples for antibody testing and upper respiratory tract samples for PCR testing. Results were communicated via SMS, email, or a hotline. This study provides insights into the implementation of large-scale testing procedures in rural settings.
Mismatches Between Antigen and PCR Tests
Reports from Ireland highlight mismatches between antigen and PCR test results, with a prominent infectious disease doctor, Dr. Paddy Mallon, commenting on the issue. In one instance, out of 5,741 positive antigen test results from asymptomatic close contacts, only 54% were confirmed by subsequent PCR tests. However, Prof. Mary Horgan, chair of the Rapid Testing Expert Advisory Group, noted that in the general population, about 75% of positive antigen tests were confirmed by PCR tests. These discrepancies may be due to time lags between contact, testing, and reporting, as well as differences in viral shedding between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
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Results were available within 12 hours
Toronto Pearson International Airport has expanded its COVID-19 monitoring by introducing rapid antigen testing for travellers and employees. The tests are part of a 10-week research program that began on March 1, 2021, and is supported by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). The program aims to test the efficacy of antigen tests against the approved rapid PCR test.
Participants in the study, including travellers and airport workers, will receive both a Health Canada-approved rapid PCR test and a rapid antigen test. The rapid PCR test is provided by Canadian company LuminUltra, while the antigen test is provided by Canadian company Response Biomedical, which has not yet been approved by Health Canada.
The antigen tests cost as little as $6 and can detect specific proteins from the virus. However, they are known to be inaccurate. On the other hand, the PCR test detects the virus's genetic material and is highly accurate but expensive, costing about $100, and generally slower to produce results.
To participate in the study, individuals must be 5 years or older and have no COVID-19 symptoms. They can sign up online, reserving their spot and receiving a QR code to present at the airport. The results of the PCR test will be sent straight to the participant's phone within two hours.
By conducting this research, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) hopes to improve access to testing and contribute valuable scientific data to the fight against COVID-19.
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Canada does not accept rapid antigen tests for pre-entry
As of April 1, 2022, Canada no longer requires travellers to get a COVID-19 test before entering the country. This means that a negative result from a rapid antigen test is not required for pre-entry to Canada.
However, it is important to note that Canada has specific requirements for travellers entering the country. Firstly, fully vaccinated individuals must complete a questionnaire in the ArriveCAN mobile app or on the government's website. This must be done before approaching a border crossing, and travellers will be required to provide information about their vaccination status and travel history. Secondly, individuals must have received at least two doses of a vaccine accepted for travel or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The second dose must have been administered at least 14 days before entering Canada.
It is worth mentioning that Canada's pre-entry requirements may change, and travellers are advised to stay updated with the latest guidelines. While Canada currently does not require pre-entry tests, this could be subject to change based on the evolution of the pandemic and the decisions made by the Canadian government.
Additionally, travellers should be aware that individual provinces or territories within Canada may have their own unique entry restrictions. It is essential to check and follow both the federal and any applicable provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before travelling to Canada. These restrictions may include proof of vaccination and a quarantine plan.
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Frequently asked questions
International travellers flying out of Pearson Airport may be required to undergo COVID-19 testing before leaving the airport. It is recommended that you check with your airline and your destination country's COVID-19 guidelines.
Pearson Airport offers rapid antigen testing at the airport's Healthy Travel clinic.
Antigen tests at Pearson Airport cost as little as $6.
Results for rapid antigen tests at Pearson Airport are available in just two hours.
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