Coronavirus: How accurate are at-home COVID-19 tests? Can it detect the Omicron variant? Here's all you need to know

Since the onset of novel coronavirus, scientists and medical professionals have made a giant leap in the field of COVID testing and diagnostics. Although the number of coronavirus cases continue to surge around the world, we now have the option of rapid antigen tests that can quickly tell if you are at risk.

Amid growing tensions around the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, experts highlight the increasing demand for at-home testing kits. While it sure is a blessing in disguise, discussions around its accuracy, usage and whether or not they can detect the new variant is ongoing. Let us look into it in detail.

Also read: Coronavirus symptoms: How long does it take for Omicron symptoms to appear?

When it comes to COVID-19, both antigen and molecular tests help identify the presence of SARs-COV-2 virus in the body. While a molecular test, also known as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction ) testing takes more time to provide the results, a rapid antigen test reveals the COVID status in a very short span of time.

As far as an antigen test is concerned, it uses a technology that traces the protein in the virus strain and reveals whether a person is infected or not, whereas molecular testing helps detect the RNA, or the genetic component of the virus, which is likely to present the most accurate results.

Both these tests are administered in a similar way i.e. with the help of nasal or throat swabs. The saliva and the fluid inside the nasal passage is used to trace the viral presence in the body.

According to health experts, rapid at-home tests are a great tool to detect the SARs-COV-2 virus in a short period of time. It is not only quick in delivering results, but up until now, it has proved efficient too.

While compared to molecular or PCR testing, self-COVID tests may lag behind a little in terms of accuracy, given the fact that they provide results in as little as 15 minutes, it is quite a useful testing alternative.

The reason why RT PCR tests take so much time in delivering results is because it undergoes a series of specialized, often expensive diagnostic processes to achieve results. On the other hand, rapid antigen tests look for the protein or molecules that are found on the virus’s surface, which is why the results can be easily verified at a fast pace.

Also read: Coronavirus: Could Omicron variant act as a 'natural vaccine'? We try to find out

While antigen tests are swift in delivering results and cost-effective, it is not to say that they're 100 percent accurate. This suggests that there can be possibilities of getting wrong results from rapid antigen tests.

As convenient as at-home antigen tests may seem, the chances of getting a false positive or negative is much higher with rapid tests than in a PCR test. One major reason behind why this occurs is that the antigen test only looks at the protein part, and not the entire virus RNA.

So, to avoid any diagnostic mistakes, it is important to take a backup test, preferably an RT PCR test to be sure.

The Omicron variant has wreaked a lot of havoc in and around the world. Amid rising number of cases, the demands for at-home test kits have shot up. However, whether antigen tests can detect the new variant is yet to be seen.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a recent update said that the rapid tests can detect the coronavirus infections irrespective of whether or not it is caused by new variants, be it Alpha, Beta, Delta or the Omicron. However, the public health agency specified that the tests may have reduced sensitivity when it comes to detecting the Omicron variant.

Anthony Fauci, US infectious diseases expert, has also said that the possibility of at-home coronavirus tests detecting the Omicron variant may currently be less. But irrespective of that, COVID tests remain an integral part, since it still can detect COVID-19 infections regardless of the variant.

Although PCR testing is said to be the most accurate form of detecting COVID-19, many depend on rapid antigen tests for faster results.

In the wake of increasing COVID-19 cases, health officials in India have encouraged the use of home test kits.

Given that RTPCR based testing leads to delays in confirming diagnosis, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan and ICMR DG Dr Balram wrote to the chief secretaries of all states/UTs suggesting an increase in rapid antigen testing and encouraging at-home COVID-19 tests for symptomatic individuals.

The Indian Council of Medical Research has approved a number of self-COVID test kits including CoviSelf, developed by MyLab Discovery Solutions, Panbio COVID-29 antigen self-test by Abbott, Angstrom's Angcard Covid 19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit and more.

The testing kits cost between 250-500, which are cheaper than the PCR tests that cost between Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 and a rapid antigen test in a laboratory costs Rs 300-900 in different states.

Up until now, we're all aware that COVID-19 can affect anyone and everyone. Given that you develop symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and loss of sense of smell and taste, get yourself tested and isolate yourself immediately. Irrespective of whether you're vaccinated or not, following these protocols is important to curb the spread of the virus.