‘"Most samples that test positive at PHO are found after a low number of cycles are run. However, any indication of the virus in a sample is important, regardless of how many cycles it took to find."
— Samir Patel, Clinical Microbiologist and Deputy Chief Microbiology, Public Health Ontario‘
Here’s more: ‘ Why aren’t cycle threshold reported on test results?
‘Like with other PCR tests (including non-COVID-19 tests), it is not recommended to provide Ct values on test results in Ontario (and Canada). PCR tests tell us if the virus is present or not in the sample provided to the lab; however, there are other factors to consider in interpreting lab results. Ct values are not directly comparable from one PCR test kit to the next, and can change with increased transportation times, sample storage conditions, and sample collection method.
‘Because of this, Ct values can help support lab specialists in validating results as well as reviewing complex cases. However, they need to be considered alongside the other important factors we discussed earlier – like exposure history and individual characteristics. At PHO, Ct values are available to health care professionals upon request, and low level detected results (Ct value 35 to 38) are indicated on the laboratory report (since November 2020). We also have specialists who are available to health care professionals who have any questions on interpreting lab results or want to discuss complex cases. There is still a lot to learn about Ct values and more research is required to fully understand Ct values and their link to disease onset, severity and infectiousness.’
‘"Most samples that test positive at PHO are found after a low number of cycles are run. However, any indication of the virus in a sample is important, regardless of how many cycles it took to find."
— Samir Patel, Clinical Microbiologist and Deputy Chief Microbiology, Public Health Ontario‘
Lol. Read this and you’ll lose whatever little faith you had in this testing regime: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/about/blog/2021/explained-covid19-pcr-testing-and-cycle-thresholds
Here’s more: ‘ Why aren’t cycle threshold reported on test results?
‘Like with other PCR tests (including non-COVID-19 tests), it is not recommended to provide Ct values on test results in Ontario (and Canada). PCR tests tell us if the virus is present or not in the sample provided to the lab; however, there are other factors to consider in interpreting lab results. Ct values are not directly comparable from one PCR test kit to the next, and can change with increased transportation times, sample storage conditions, and sample collection method.
‘Because of this, Ct values can help support lab specialists in validating results as well as reviewing complex cases. However, they need to be considered alongside the other important factors we discussed earlier – like exposure history and individual characteristics. At PHO, Ct values are available to health care professionals upon request, and low level detected results (Ct value 35 to 38) are indicated on the laboratory report (since November 2020). We also have specialists who are available to health care professionals who have any questions on interpreting lab results or want to discuss complex cases. There is still a lot to learn about Ct values and more research is required to fully understand Ct values and their link to disease onset, severity and infectiousness.’
What?