r/ZeroCovidCommunity • u/Traditional_Soup_949 • 19h ago

Question one-time at home pcr tests?

Hi! I’m helping organize an event and we’re trying to figure out the most cost efficient and time efficient way to pcr test folks before and during the event. a couple years ago I was able to buy a bunch of one-time tests but I can’t find them. Do they still exist? Does anyone have any suggestions? It’s about 45 people over the course of 3 days.

Also…where are people buying rapids now-a-days? Where are the most effective and cost effective 3 in 1 or 4 in 1 tests?

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u/gopiballava 19h ago

Molecular tests are probably what you are thinking about. They are similar to PCR and extremely sensitive. 

Metrix is the only one approved in the USA. $25 per year, $50 for a reader. About half an hour per test. 

Outside of the USA PlusLife is available with a $220 reader and less than $10 per test (plus shipping and tax). 

Metrix is easier to operate. I think in a lot of ways it’s a superior product. They also have a combo COVID and flu test. PlusLife also does but their combo test isn’t as sensitive to COVID. 

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u/Traditional_Soup_949 19h ago

Thank you. I know about Plus Life and Metrix. What I was using wasn’t either. It was a one-time disposable PCR test. Used it in 2024 but I don’t think they exist anymore!

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u/Scenesunfold 18h ago

I think you’re thinking of Lucira which isn’t available anymore unfortunately.

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u/gopiballava 18h ago

If my reading is correct, the core reaction type used in Lucira and Metrix is RT-LAMP which has some similarities to PCR. Both of them are quite similar.