Random COVID-19 testing at Canada’s border forcing uninfected travellers to quarantine – GLOBAL

August 23, 2022

Random testing at Canada’s border can’t distinguish between people who previously had COVID-19 and those currently infected by it, according to a statement from the government received by Global News.

The mandatory measure, which affects roughly 1 in 20 fully vaccinated people who enter Canada by air, is also leading to healthy travellers being forced to quarantine.

The tests being used — PCR or molecular tests — are too sensitive to tell the difference between active infections and previous infections.

Still, the government insists on using these tests because it says they’re the “gold standard” for detecting the virus, even if they may be catching people who fully recovered from it.

“You’re shooting at a dartboard with a blindfold on,” said Colin Furness, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at the University of Toronto.

Read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/9076841/canada-random-covid-19-border-testing-previous-infections/