Coronavirus Omicron Variant Test: How accurate are at-home COVID-19 tests? Can it detect the Omicron variant? Here’s all you need to know

Coronavirus Omicron Variant Test: How accurate are at-home COVID-19 tests? Can it detect the Omicron variant? Here’s all you need to know

[ad_1]

The Omicron variant has wreaked a lot of havoc in and around the world. Amid rising number of cases, the demands for at-home test kits have shot up. However, whether antigen tests can detect the new variant is yet to be seen.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a recent update said that the rapid tests can detect the coronavirus infections irrespective of whether or not it is caused by new variants, be it Alpha, Beta, Delta or the Omicron. However, the public health agency specified that the tests may have reduced sensitivity when it comes to detecting the Omicron variant.

Anthony Fauci, US infectious diseases expert, has also said that the possibility of at-home coronavirus tests detecting the Omicron variant may currently be less. But irrespective of that, COVID tests remain an integral part, since it still can detect COVID-19 infections regardless of the variant.

Although PCR testing is said to be the most accurate form of detecting COVID-19, many depend on rapid antigen tests for faster results.

[ad_2]

Source link

Lifestyle