US health chiefs warn that Omicron may be detected less effectively by covid lateral flow tests.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said new laboratory findings indicated the rapid kits — which give results in as little as 15 minutes — could still spot the highly-infectious variant.
Managers were warned that their sensitivity may be reduced, which could lead to them mislead people who are infected.
Ministers in the UK are expressing doubts regarding the results of the test. Health officials and ministers in Britain have urged people to undergo a lateralflow test before they meet others in an effort to decrease the chance that people will pass the virus unknowingly to others.
Hundreds of Britons complained that their negative lateral flow results were not positive until they tested positive for PCR during the Christmas holiday period.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), however, insists that data show that lateral flow tests can detect Omicron.

The Westminster Government plans to maintain pubs, nightclubs, and other venues open. Ministers encourage revelers to get a lateral flow test kit before going out to socialize with others for Covid.

Since December began, the number of England’s lateral flow test has increased significantly. Officials repeatedly breached the 1million mark as they encouraged people to get a test before they met others.

Angela, a woman from Britain, was among many who described a situation in which a relative tested negative for a lateral flow but then later came back positive for a PCR.

Rose Bateman, another example of someone who received a negative result from a latera flow for Covid and was later confirmed positive by PCR testing.

Roy of the Hampshire and Surrey Border region claimed that his lateral flow test resulted in the opposite for two relatives when he later did a PCR.
FDA’s statements were based on preliminary data from laboratory tests that used live Omicron virus samples.
Similar to the UKHSA the US agency is currently analysing whether lateral flows can detect new Covid variants as well.
FDA had previously checked the reliability of these tests with samples from dead Omicron viruses and determined that the results were equally accurate.
Now, however, lab tests with live virus samples have cast doubt on their reliability.
They stated that early data suggested that the Omicron variant was detected by antigen tests, but it may be less sensitive than they thought.
However, FDA still recommends people use lateral flow testing, stating that the FDA’s findings are in their early stages.
It stated that laboratory data cannot replace clinical studies using live viruses from patients.
“The FDA still authorizes the use of these test as indicated in the approved labeling. Individuals should use the tests in accordance to the instructions.
The FDA announcement did not include any data about the sensitivity of lateral flow tests to detect Omicron, or the number of samples that were tested.
Officials encourage people to test their lateral flow before they go out on holiday.
Many Britons are now questioning whether lateral flow tests can be trusted, despite officials recommending their use during the Christmas period.
One mother told how her son received five negative lateral flow tests but then tested positive after a PCR.
My son was positive for Covid PCR despite 5 lateral flow test results showing that he is negative. “He has Omicron-like symptoms, feels very rough and is 25,” she stated.
Roy (Hampshire) also claimed that there were two instances in which lateral flow tests weren’t accurate for him and his family.
My son was feeling a little chesty so he had a negative flow test, but also a positivePCR. He said that his son-in law had positive natural flow tests but negative PCR.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed 129,471 people tested positive in England over the last 24 hours, up 43 per cent on last week’s figure of 90,629 — which included case numbers for the other home nations as well
Rose Bateman, single mother of two, shared her experiences: “I was negative for lateral flow on the morning that I received my positive PCR result. I felt sick because of some symptoms like a cold.”
MailOnline contacted UKHSA to inquire about FDA’s findings. UKHSA pointed out data that was published earlier in the month and showed that lateral flow tests are just as reliable at detecting Omicrons as with other variants.
UKHSA utilized the five Omicron-positive lateral flow test brands in its testing. These were tested on Omicron samples collected from Omicron patients.
The UKHSA stated that all tests revealed positive results for every patient even after diluting their samples. This indicates that the devices are sensitive to previous Covid strains.
The UKHSA stated at that time it was monitoring the performance of the tests in real life to make sure their sensitivity does not decrease when people do not touch them.
Tests that detect the virus’ nucleocapsid proteins in people can quickly determine if they are infected.
But this part of Omicron’s cell has four mutations, which has raised concerns that the test could be less effective.
South African specialists raised concerns about Omicron and the accuracy of lateral flows tests. Omicron was also first discovered in South Africa.
Chair of South African Medical Association Dr Angelique Coetzee told the Science and Technology Committee that the rapid tests still showed false positives early in their life.
“There are patients who wait a week, still get headaches and then do PCR. It’s positive.”
However, despite being advised to perform lateral flow testing before they meet up Britons have difficulty securing supplies as the supply of kit kits decreases.
Pharmacists today called for immediate action to increase the supply of lateral flows tests. They stated that they have been forced to refuse people without a prescription.
According to The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMP), people are getting turned away in five minutes because of ‘patchy’ supply.
The company also said that it found it frustrating that some chemists had to wait several days before receiving each shipment.
Although the UK Health Security Agency stated that it faced an “unprecedented” demand for these tests, it insisted that it had increased its capacity by twofold since mid-December.