112. PCR testing – if it can’t distinguish between live and dead virus how why can the Health Department say it’s the gold standard? How many false positives were reported – one study says as many as 43% – does the Health department have any idea? 113. Is it possible that positive PCR tests were actually just a strain of the influenza virus? There was a marked decrease in influenza throughout the Covid pandemic.

Question Number: 215
PDR Number: SQ22-000585
Date Submitted: 21/11/2022
Department or Body: Department of Health

Question 112 COVID-19 PCR tests are designed to look for and then amplify a target region of the viral genome which is specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This means that a PCR test result may be positive for COVID-19 after the infectious period has passed, because of remaining non-infectious viral material present within the patient. PCR testing has been comprehensively validated and is the best scientific method available for diagnosis, hence the term ‘gold standard’. No test is 100% perfect in all clinical circumstances. However, the likelihood of false positive and false negative results is low. The total number of SARS-CoV-2 false positive results are not captured at the national level. COVID-19 positive results are reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS). However, if a result is subsequently determined to be negative, the result in the NNDSS would be adjusted. There may also be occasions where a false positive result is identified and adjusted at the jurisdictional level before being formally reported to the Australian Government.

Question 113 PCR tests are highly specific and sensitive and can differentiate between SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, influenza B virus and other respiratory viruses in upper or lower respiratory specimens. The SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR tests reported were not the result of influenza infections. The marked decrease in influenza seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic was likely due to the introduction of public health and social measures, including physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, movement restrictions, and wearing of masks.