A B.C. man has a warning for anybody travelling to the U.S. after an sudden COVID-19 take a look at consequence landed him and three mates in self-isolation as an alternative of their meant vacation spot of Las Vegas.
Trevor Meyer stated he gained’t overlook the second a employee from the CVM Medical take a look at clinic referred to as his identify at Vancouver Worldwide Airport on Sept. 18, earlier than she placed on her surgical jacket and saved her distance.
“She’s like, ‘Have been you planning on travelling right this moment?’” Meyer recalled.
“And I’m like, ‘Properly, I used to be, however it seems to be like I’m not going to be travelling right this moment.’ And he or she’s like, ‘Yeah, you examined constructive.’”
Meyer, who’s double-vaccinated and had been experiencing no signs, was informed to self-isolate and name 811 whereas his constructive rapid-test consequence was reported to Fraser Well being for contact tracing.
After his associate picked him up from the airport, they went to get examined to make sure she didn’t have COVID-19.
Hours later, each of their take a look at outcomes got here again unfavorable.
Due to the conflicting outcomes, Meyer stated he acquired a 3rd take a look at, which additionally got here again unfavorable on Sept. 21, prompting him to query the accuracy of the preliminary speedy take a look at.
“I used to be clearly shocked that it got here out as a false constructive. It’s like, how dependable are these assessments?”
Learn extra:
Understanding false constructive and false unfavorable COVID-19 assessments
CVM Medical makes use of the Well being Canada-approved BD Veritor speedy antigen take a look at.
The corporate stated it commonly topics every BD Veritor machine to quality-assurance testing with an impartial lab.
Meyer’s take a look at was run on two separate machines and got here again constructive every time, in keeping with CVM president Graham Williamson. He stated 26,000 speedy assessments had been performed at YVR in September, ending with 30 constructive outcomes.
CVM stated it’s as much as the well being authority to find out whether or not the constructive rapid-test outcomes are true positives or false.
When requested, Fraser Well being didn’t present that data to International Information.
Williamson stated workers supplied Meyer a PCR take a look at, however that he declined. Nevertheless, Meyer stated he wasn’t supplied one other take a look at of any sort after the preliminary constructive consequence.
He stated his three mates additionally determined to not journey to Las Vegas as a precaution.
“We had been attempting to do the suitable factor by going house and never taking the chance of occurring a airplane with doubtlessly having signs,” good friend Will Campbell informed International Information.
The trio all acquired unfavorable rapid-test outcomes, however nonetheless spent two weeks in isolation.
“We needed to quarantine at my home and I’ve a one-bedroom rental. We had been terrified to go house to our households and youngsters,” Campbell added, saying well being officers solely adopted up on Meyer.
In its emailed assertion, Fraser Well being stated it’s not concerned with non-public COVID-19 testing, however will observe up with individuals who obtain a constructive PCR take a look at consequence.
“When an individual receives a unfavorable COVID-19 PCR take a look at consequence, they aren’t thought-about a constructive case. Due to this fact, there can be no contact tracing indicated of their case,” the assertion stated.
Learn extra:
COVID-19 speedy antigen assessments: All the things it’s essential to know
Meyer and his mates had been utilizing frequent flyer miles and had been capable of get credit score for his or her unused flights.
The group ended up solely being out of pocket about $600 for 4 $129 speedy antigen assessments and to cancel their U.S. lodge lodging.
Consultants suggest buying sufficient journey insurance coverage and studying the fantastic print.
“They should guarantee that they’ve made bookings which can be versatile and have phrases and circumstances for this sort of state of affairs,” Claire Newell, president of Journey Greatest Bets, informed International Information.
“As a result of one by no means is aware of what can occur when assessments are required pre-flight.”
Since Jan. 26, all travellers heading from Canada into the U.S. want proof of a unfavorable COVID-19 take a look at 72 hours earlier than boarding.
Meyer’s recommendation is to get examined a minimum of a day or two prematurely to keep away from any turbulence on the airport.
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