Interpreting a covid-19 test result

What you need to know Interpreting the result of a test for covid-19 depends on two things: the accuracy of the test, and the pre-test probability or estimated risk of disease before testing A positive RT-PCR test for covid-19 test has more weight than a negative test because of the test's high specificity but moderate sensitivity A single negative covid-19 test should not be used as a rule-out in patients with strongly suggestive symptoms Clinicians should share information with patients about the accuracy of covid-19 tests Across the world there is a clamour for covid-19 testing, with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, encouraging countries to "test, test, test." 1…