Posted on 12/28/2021 6:55:07 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Covid-19 antigen tests may be less capable of detecting the fast-spreading Omicron variant, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned on Tuesday.
The new warning is based on preliminary studies by the National Institutes of Health’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics initiative using patient samples with live virus — analysis that “represents the best way to evaluate true test performance in the short-term,” according to FDA.
“Early data suggests that antigen tests do detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity,” the FDA said on Tuesday.
Omicron's large number of mutations have raised the possibility that it could evade protections against Covid that had come through vaccines and treatments like some monoclonal antibodies. The FDA noted the presence of mutations in the virus can diminish test performance depending on the sequence of the variant, the design of the test and the prevalence of the variant in the population.
Many popular at-home antigen tests are intended to be used serially — meaning people should take two tests on separate days — to ensure more accurate results.
FDA reemphasized its recommendation that the public “closely follow the tests’ instructions,” adding that if people test negative on an antigen test but have symptoms of Covid-19 or have a “high likelihood of infection due to exposure,” they should seek out a molecular test to confirm the result.
“Although the data is preliminary, the FDA believes it is important to share with the public,” FDA spokesperson Stephanie Caccomo told POLITICO. “We will continue to keep the public informed if additional information comes to light.”
The new NIH data comes less than a week after a different NIH study of heat-inactivated Omicron samples found antigen tests were able to detect.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Need about 300 million tests a day for the next 6 weeks or so.
Many popular at-home antigen tests are intended to be used serially — meaning people should take two tests on separate days — to ensure more accurate results.
/\
Designed to double the profits is more like it.
Mo’ Money....Mo’ Money....Mo’ Money!
“used serially”?
I prefer taking my tests with Corn Pops.
Detecting it as COVID or detecting it as Xi?
With my job, I have to test twice a week.
I am outside quite a bit with this job. We are in the middle of a cold snap, the highest temperature expected over the next two weeks is 19°F. Right now, it is -15°F and heading to -20°F.
WHY, OH WHY CAN’T I TEST POSITIVE for omicron? I would LOVE to spend this cold snap in my warm house!
Government bureaucrats: we are incompetent, bumbling, keystone cops, but we demand absolute control over your most personal and life-altering decisions.
“Covid-19 antigen tests may be less capable of detecting the fast-spreading Omicron variant...”
GOOD!
While not quite a “nothingburger,” omicron is hardly worth the hassle the comes with being detected. The more who carry it about unbeknownst to anyone, the better for us all in the longer run.
Really?
“There are no authorized, cleared, or approved diagnostic tests to specifically detect SARS-CoV-2 variants (Omicron or other variants). Currently, COVID-19 tests are designed and authorized to check broadly for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not for specific variants.”
Looks like one of them is peddling BS. Or maybe Politico? Or maybe all of them?
What is certain is that these simple excerpts cannot be both contradictory and true.
They just don't expect us to read and remember and think critically and independently..
The War on Omicron.
They don’t like Omicron because it’s mild and will turn their plandemic into an endemic no worse than the flu or a bad cold so they’re doing everything they can to cause more illness and death.
Cancel all but one Monoclonal and we don’t have enough of it. The reason? Doesn’t work on Omicron they say.
Few days later, adjust the percentage of Omicron in the US which means there’s more Delta than they said, right before getting rid of two mAbs that fight Delta.
Everything they do is the opposite of what they should do. Everything they do causes more illness and death.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.