The latest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, named Omicron, has approximately 30 spike protein mutations, almost double its predecessor Delta. It also has a mutation that the alpha variant possesses, which is picked up as S-gene failure on RT-PCR tests.
COVID-19 testing laboratories need a whole arsenal of variant detection methods to avoid any false-negatives slipping through the net. Reach out to suppliers of COVID-19 RT-qPCR testing equipment included in this special focus on SARS-CoV-2 variants and make sure your lab is prepared for the unexpected.
