General Discussion

Ms. Toad

(38,426 posts)

18. They seem to be less able to detect omicron

Sat Jan 8, 2022, 08:48 PM

Jan 2022

than delta and earlier versions.

Excerpt reported in Kaiser Health News on 1/6

The New York Times: Emerging Data Raise Questions About Antigen Tests And Nasal Swabs
A small, new real-world study suggests that two widely used at-home antigen tests, the Abbott BinaxNOW and Quidel QuickVue, may fail to detect some Omicron infections even when people are carrying high levels of the coronavirus. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, focused on 30 people infected with the virus at five workplaces that experienced what were most likely outbreaks of the Omicron variant in December. The people received both saliva-based P.C.R. tests and rapid antigen tests using nasal swabs. (Anthes and Jewett, 1/5)

https://khn.org/morning-breakout/can-at-home-tests-detect-omicron-early-enough-study-raises-doubt/

It's a small, not yet peer-reviewed article, but it matches our personal experience and lots of informal news reports about antigen tests.

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What kind of COVID test should I get? [View all] iemanja Jan 2022 OP

Florida has a stockpile of expired ones for you Generic Brad Jan 2022 #1

PCR is absolutely the most accurate. If you can get your hands Maru Kitteh Jan 2022 #2

the rapid tests are harder to get appointments for iemanja Jan 2022 #4

If your county health department has any Maru Kitteh Jan 2022 #9

BinaxNow has a fair number of false negatives. Ms. Toad Jan 2022 #8

Yes, that is without a doubt it's biggest drawback, and that of Maru Kitteh Jan 2022 #12

Both my daughter and I were very symptomatic at the time of 4 negative antigen tests. Ms. Toad Jan 2022 #13

This causes me to have concerns the tests used were outdated Maru Kitteh Jan 2022 #16

They seem to be less able to detect omicron Ms. Toad Jan 2022 #18

So strange. I'm beginning to wonder if another variant or hybrid is at play. Maru Kitteh Jan 2022 #19

My daughter was boosted less than 2 months ago. Ms. Toad Jan 2022 #20

the binax is out of stock iemanja Jan 2022 #11

Same Here ProfessorGAC Jan 2022 #17

They gave me both. Haggard Celine Jan 2022 #3

PCR is good, but you'll have to wait up to 2 days for results viva la Jan 2022 #5

thanks, but there is a warning message at your link iemanja Jan 2022 #6

Probably because I shortened it- try this one viva la Jan 2022 #10

PCR tests are the most accurate. Ms. Toad Jan 2022 #7

PCR tells you if you have the virus... BlueSpot Jan 2022 #14

thanks iemanja Jan 2022 #15

I think you're right about the PCR test being the best Sapient Donkey Jan 2022 #21

I'm sorry to hear that iemanja Jan 2022 #22