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.   

Lateral flow test kits, like the one pictured above are a cornerstone of the Westminster Government's plans to keep venues like nightclubs and pubs open with ministers urging revelers to take one before heading out to meet others in case they have Covid

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.

The number of lateral flow tests taken in England has risen significantly since the start if December with the 1million mark being breached multiple times as officials urged people to take a test before meeting others

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.

A woman named Angela was one of numerous Britons who have detailed a case where a family member tested negative on a lateral flow test but later positive on a PCR test

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 was another, who found herself with a negative result using a latera flow test for Covid but tested positive using a PCR tests later on the same day

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 from the Hampshire and Surrey Border area claimed to have two family members receive the opposite result of their lateral flow test when later taking a PCR test

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.

Ministers advise that the home delivery quick tests for domestic deliveries are not available until the third day. 

Because they claim they can’t provide lateral flow testing, pharmacists call for an urgent response.

Following confirmation on Monday of no additional Covid restrictions being placed for New Years Eve celebrations, the Government advises people to undergo lateral flow tests prior to socializing.

However, the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies stated that customers are getting turned down every five minutes because of “patchy” supply. They also said it was disappointing that many chemists they represented had to wait for delivery several days.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, there was an “unprecedented demand” for tests. However, they maintained that their capacity had been doubled since December. 

Because lateral flow tests cannot be delivered at home for the third consecutive day, some families may not have the opportunity to test before New Year’s Eve. 

The Government’s website states it is not possible to order lateral flow testing kits for home delivery with a message stating:

You may be able still to get rapid lateral flow testing from your local pharmacy. You should not pick up any tests if symptoms are absent.

All across the nation, pharmacies have experienced shortages in LFTs. Some are not able to refill their stock because of the impact that Christmas and New Year has had on the supply chain. 

Some pharmacies stated that they do not have stock from Monday, and new stocks could arrive in three days.

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

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

How to perform a rapid lateral flow testing

For people without Covid symptoms such as high temperatures, coughs, or loss of smell or taste, rapid lateral flow testing is recommended. 

This device is similar to a pregnancy tester and gives a rapid result. 

Covid patients should undergo a PCR testing.

The NHS recommends that you do a quick lateral flow test before doing any other tests. 

  • Do not eat, drink or smoke 30 minutes prior to the test. This could affect your result
  • Please read these instructions. 
  • Clean the area you are putting the test onto 
  • Verify that nothing is missing or damaged from the test kit 
  • Start the test in 30 minutes after opening the kit  

You may need to perform a throat sample for your test

  • Place the swab in your mouth, and then rub it over your tonsils.
  • Do not touch your tongue, gums or teeth using the cotton swab.
  • Put the same swab into your nose about 2.5 cm higher or until it feels comfortable. 

You can only use this method if your test involves a nose swab.

  • Then, place the swab into your nose about 2.5 cm above your eyes.

Successful completion of the test 

  • Put the tube’s end into the tube.
  • Place the liquid in the tube on the test strip 
  • In the instructions included with your kit, check how long you have to wait. 
  • Wait for your instructions in the test kit to show you how long it takes. 
  • Read your results
  • Send your result to the Government.

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.