FDA warns Covid mutations could lead to false negative tests

[nitpicker]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/jan/08/coronavirus-live-news-poorest-countries-to-get-vaccine-in-weeks-says-who-brazil-deaths-pass-200000?page=with:block-5ff8a36c8f086b9a461f5e91#block-5ff8a36c8f086b9a461f5e91

(snip)

3h ago
18:36
FDA warns Covid mutations could lead to false negative tests
Genetic variants of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, including the one first detected in the UK, could lead to false negative coronavirus test results, the US Food and Drug Administration has said.

According to Reuters, the agency has alerted clinical laboratory staff and health care providers to the possible false negative results from any molecular test, and has asked them to consider such results in combination with clinical observations, and repeat testing with a different test if Covid-19 is still suspected.

The FDA, however, said the risk that these mutations will impact overall testing accuracy is low. You can read more of the FDA’s report by clicking here.

[abqtommy]

1. We've been hearing about false negative tests ever since covid first showed up. I wouldn't expect

that to change due to mutations. But then I'm not an FDA scientist.