FDA: Rapid COVID-19 Tests May Be Less Accurate for Omicron Variant

Employees of Nomi Health check in a long line of people for COVID-19 tests in North Miami on Dec. 21, 2021. Marta Lavandier/AP Photo

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said rapid COVID-19 tests could be less accurate when testing someone with the new Omicron variant.

Rapid tests, including the very commonly used antigen tests, can detect the Omicron variant, “but may have reduced sensitivity,” the FDA said in a statement on Dec. 28.