Misleading Video Claiming COVID-19 Rapid Tests Are Not Accurate
The Claim
The video depicts a rapid COVID-19 test that shows a positive result when exposed to water, indicating that virus test kits are inaccurate.
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Emerging story
Several social media users have shared a video purporting to show a rapid COVID-19 test that produces positive results when exposed to water. According to the video, the kits are also inaccurate.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar has investigated the claim and found it misleading. The video was first shared on Tiktok before being shared on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo description: The video was first uploaded to Tiktok.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) mentioned that SARS-CoV has not been detected in water and does not spread through it.
Photo description: The virus does not spread through drinking water.
Using Google reverse image search, it was discovered that Healgen Scientific, LLC created the test featured in the video.
According to the company, the test detects only the coronavirus antigen and only from upper respiratory tract samples.
They also stated that the instructions must be strictly followed and that any other liquids may produce inaccurate results.
Photo description: The test detects only the nucleocapsid protein antigen of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Following numerous misleading demonstrations on social media claiming that SARS-CoV-2 antigen could be detected in municipal water and food products, many studies have shown how false-positive SARS-COV-2 antigen results could be generated with testing conditions outside manufacturer recommendations.
According to the CDC, the test aids in rapidly identifying people infected with COVID-19. As a result, it can be used as one of several risk-reduction strategies, alongside vaccination, masking, and physical distance.
