[Disestablishmentarian]

are all the tests the PCR kind that is useless?

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I believe PCR is considered the "Best" test.

Would love to get an informed opinion from smileyface or others with first-hand knowledge.

[smileyface]

PCR tests are not useless. They amplify a bit of genetic material so it can be seen. I have read that the number of cycles should be held at 35 rounds. At that point you amplify up bits and bites of stuff that is probably not relevant.

IF the test results were VALIDATED in patients with varying levels of symptoms OR COVID-19 antibodies, that would make the observed results much more powerful.

ALSO note that after a patient fights off an infection, bits of the virus will remain present in white cells; lymphocytes can survive for YEARS.

An antibody test that uses that uses antibodies SPECIFIC against COVID-19 (not just coronavirus) would be good. A test that looked for COVID-19 antibodies in a patient would be ok, but the patient would have some level of immunity. IgM Ab tests would likely catch earlier infection than IgG Ab tests.

LIST OF FDA APPROVED COVID-19 TEST KITS FOR COMMERCIAL USE https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Dk8KjbCzk8g92HydWDRvg8K-ATp7gBez

Note the MANY tests from China in the above documents.

This site give a nice overview of different tests, and is advocating a new technology. https://www.confirmbiosciences.com/covid-19-resources/coronavirus-testing-types-antibody-igg-igm-pcr-testing/