Analysis

At-home rapid tests have proven to be a powerful weapon in the country's battle against the coronavirus and its latest variants, but the surge of the omicron variant has left U.S. consumers to contend with concerns about access, efficacy and rising costs among the numerous options on the market.

Health experts say rapid tests remain a useful tool as the country braces for the latest surge in cases, as long as they can be obtained and are considered in the right context. The tests sacrifice some accuracy for speedy results, but they can be an aid for making decisions and knowing when to get additional treatment.

The most accurate tests available are polymerase chain reaction tests, or PCR tests, which detect tiny snippets of the virus’s genetic material. Because the tests require specialized lab equipment, people can wait for days to get their results, particularly when there are surges, as demand grows and logjams are created.

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U.S. COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations 'comparatively' low despite Omicron surge --health officials

Wed, 2021-12-29 18:51 — mike kraft

U.S. health officials say COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations 'comparatively' low despite Omicron surge COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations are "comparatively" low as the highly infectious Omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday as cases in the United States reached a record high. Ahmed Aboulenein,Alexandra Alper Reuters

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Situation Report

Map of how COVID-19 is spreading across the U.S,

Wed, 2021-12-29 09:54 — mike kraft

Here's a look at how Covid-19 is spreading in communities across the US The US hit a seven-day average of 265,427 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, blowing past the country's previous record of about 252,000 daily cases, reported nearly a year ago on Jan. 11. By Rhea Mogul, Adam Renton, <a href="/profiles/tara-john">Tara John</a> and Ed Upright, CNN CNN

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Testing for Omicron may need re-evaluation--South African study

Tue, 2021-12-28 18:51 — mike kraft

Are We Testing for Omicron Wrong? South African study suggests nasal swabs aren't the best way John Gever medpagetoday

If confirmed in follow-up research and if the diagnostics industry can pivot quickly enough, findings from a South African study could make COVID-19 testing a lot easier for patients and healthcare workers, as the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant becomes the dominant source of infection.

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CDC significantly cuts estimate of omicron's prevalence in US

Tue, 2021-12-28 17:50 — mike kraft

CDC significantly cuts estimate of omicron's prevalence in US The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday significantly revised downward the estimate of the percentage of new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. Nathaniel Weixel TheHill

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday significantly revised downward the estimate of the percentage of new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. caused by the omicron variant of the virus.

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