PORTLAND, Ore. (January 25, 2022): Amid the COVID-19 Omicron surge in Oregon, concerns about testing also are on the rise. As two new testing centers opened in Portland Monday and free rapid tests from the government begin shipping, many are still wondering when to get tested, which test to take, how reliable are the results and what to do if they test positive.
Dr. Katie Sharff, Chief of Infectious Disease with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Ore., has been on the front lines of the pandemic from the beginning, treating patients and studying emerging data, and she is making herself available to address media questions about testing this week as the pandemic nears its peak in Oregon.
Dr. Sharff is prepared to discuss:
Testing:
- When should you take a test? (ie, how long after exposure, etc.)
- When is an at-home rapid test recommended vs. PCR?
- How reliable are rapid tests, and is one brand better than another?
- Can you really trust a negative result?
- Do you need to confirm a positive/negative test with a PCR test?
- Where can you find a test, and are they free?
- What to do if you can’t get a test.
Interviews available:
Dr. Katie Sharff, Chief of Infectious Disease for Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews on Monday, Jan. 24 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 10:30 a.m.-noon.
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