covid: rapid test less accurate for omicron transmission
There is increasing reliance on the rapid Covid antigen tests in determining individuals' Covid status, informing them of both their own viral status as well as the likelihood of viral transmission to others. A recent small preprint study questioned the reliability of this test, even in people with transmissible virus (see covid rapid test less accurate omicron InfectEconom2022 in dropbox, or doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.04.22268770 ). Thanks to Karen Henley for bringing this to my attention. Details: -- 30 individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 between December 1 and December 31, during omicron outbreaks at five workplaces in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco -- all were fully vaccinated, per employer mandate, and highly boosted by patient choice -- all subjects had daily testing at the time of diagnosis, with paired PCR and rapid antigen test results on day zero or one after the first positive specimen collection date -- rapid antigen tests were either t...