Rapid tests do identify Omicron variants

Recently identified SARS- CoV-2 coronavirus variants have fundamentally changed the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. Now more than ever, testing remains a critical part of our COVID-19 response, and Abbott’s top priority remains making reliable, accessible tests available.

In November 2021, Illinois-based Abbott stated it ‘has been intently monitoring the mutations of COVID-19 so we can ensure our tests can detect them.’

‘We also have an entire team of Abbott scientists dedicated to monitoring COVID-19 variants.’

‘We have already assessed the Omicron variant, and we’re confident our rapid and PCR tests can detect the virus.’

‘While the Omicron variant contains mutations to the spike protein, Abbott’s rapid and molecular tests – antigen and PCR – do not rely on the spike gene to detect the virus.’

‘We have carefully analyzed over 1.4 million sequences from 63 different variants, and none have impacted the ability of our diagnostic tests to detect the virus.’

‘And as soon as the Omicron sequence was made available, our scientists worked non-stop to evaluate it and determined the mutations would not impact the ability of our rapid and PCR tests to detect it.’

On December 6, 2021, the U.S. CDC stated COVID-19 tests can detect either SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or antibodies that your body makes after getting COVID-19 or after getting vaccinated.

Tests for SARS-CoV-2 tell you if you have an infection at the time of the test.

This type of test is called a “viral” test because it looks for viral infection. Antigen or Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests are viral tests.

Tests for antibodies may tell you if you have had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Your body creates antibodies after getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 or after getting vaccinated against COVID-19. These tests are called “antibody” or “serology” tests.

Abbott is currently manufacturing more than 100 million COVID-19 rapid and PCR tests a month to help support the increased need for testing worldwide. Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life, with over 100,000 colleagues serving people in more than 160 countries. Precision Vaccinations