Can Rapid Tests Detect New COVID Variants Like BA.2.86?

Key Takeaways

Recently, Omicron subvariants like EG.5, FL.1.5.1, and the highly-mutated BA.2.86 have been causing alarm and accounting for an increasing number of COVID-19 infections.Although they have many different mutations from known variants, experts sayrapid antigen testswould have no problem detecting them. Here’s what you need to know.

Time Is Running Out to Get Free Rapid Tests. Here’s How to Stock Up

Existing Rapid Tests Should Detect Newer Variants

Gonazalo Bearman, MD, chair of the division of infectious diseases at Virginia Commonwealth University Health, told Verywell that the COVID-19 rapid tests are “no more or no less effective with the current strains.”

According to a risk assessment summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), existing tests used to detect COVID-19 remain effective with BA.2.86, which has over 35 amino acid mutations compared to XBB.1.5. The agency says that the anticipated impact of the variant on molecular (including PCR) and antigen-based testing is low.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19.

Which Factors Impact Test Accuracy?

Susan Kline, MD, director of the division of infectious diseases and international medicine at the University of Minnesota, told Verywell that several factors can affect how well COVID-19 rapid tests detect new variants. The sampling process, amount of virus present, test sensitivity and expiration, and “any major mutations that cause large changes in the virus proteins or antigens” should all be considered, she added.

If you perform a nasal swab incorrectly, the test might not be able to accurately detect whether you have COVID-19 or not. In addition, rapid tests generally have low detection sensitivity for low viral load samples, which might miss presymptomatic and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 during the incubation phase.

How to Take At-home COVID Tests the Right Way

Can Rapid Tests Go Bad?

You can visit the FDAwebsiteto check the list of manufacturers and specific lot numbers that were granted the shelf life extensions.

Will COVID Tests Get an Update?

It’s not yet certain whether current rapid tests for COVID-19 will need tweaking to detect newer variants more effectively, Kline said.

Test manufacturers, government agencies, and researchers “need to run tests to further verify the sensitivity of the rapid antigen tests in patients with the newer strains of the virus infection,” she added.

Vaccines require greater specificity and are often updated to match the circulating strains of the virus because they serve to elicit an immune response. But rapid antigen tests generally “do not require the tweaking that is required of vaccines,” Bearman said.

The FDA continues to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral mutations on COVID-19 diagnostic tests and will update their guidance when new information becomes available. Just like before, if you get a negative test result, take another test after 48 hours to ensure that it was not a false negative.

What This Means For YouExperts say COVID-19 rapid tests can still detect the newer SARS-CoV-2 variants that are circulating today. Make sure that you store your test properly, check the expiration date, and use the test correctly to ensure accurate results.

What This Means For You

Experts say COVID-19 rapid tests can still detect the newer SARS-CoV-2 variants that are circulating today. Make sure that you store your test properly, check the expiration date, and use the test correctly to ensure accurate results.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID data tracker: variant proportions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk assessment summary for SARS CoV-2 sublineage BA.2.86.Wan Z, Zhao Y, Lu R, et al.Rapid antigen detection alone may not be sufficient for early diagnosis and/or mass screening of COVID-19.J Med Virol. 2021;93(12):6462-6464. doi:10.1002/jmv.27236Food and Drug Administration.At-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID data tracker: variant proportions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk assessment summary for SARS CoV-2 sublineage BA.2.86.Wan Z, Zhao Y, Lu R, et al.Rapid antigen detection alone may not be sufficient for early diagnosis and/or mass screening of COVID-19.J Med Virol. 2021;93(12):6462-6464. doi:10.1002/jmv.27236Food and Drug Administration.At-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID data tracker: variant proportions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk assessment summary for SARS CoV-2 sublineage BA.2.86.Wan Z, Zhao Y, Lu R, et al.Rapid antigen detection alone may not be sufficient for early diagnosis and/or mass screening of COVID-19.J Med Virol. 2021;93(12):6462-6464. doi:10.1002/jmv.27236Food and Drug Administration.At-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID data tracker: variant proportions.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk assessment summary for SARS CoV-2 sublineage BA.2.86.

Wan Z, Zhao Y, Lu R, et al.Rapid antigen detection alone may not be sufficient for early diagnosis and/or mass screening of COVID-19.J Med Virol. 2021;93(12):6462-6464. doi:10.1002/jmv.27236

Food and Drug Administration.At-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?