Omicron Prompts Shift To Self-Test Kits

Amid Strained Labs & Health Staff Shortage, Nations Rely On Antigen Instead Of PCR Tests

Rapid antigen testing kitshave flooded into super-markets, online shops and pharmacies around the world as countries race to keep up with Omicron variant’s swift pace of transmission, marking a shift to the self-administered tests from PCR testing, which has long been considered the gold standard for detecting Covid. The transition comes in the wake of infection-detection at labs buckling under the strain of unprecedented numbers of cases and many health facilties facing staff shortage. But there is no definitive international guideline for the use of antigen tests, and a global patchwork of policies has emerged as each country weighs its advantages and risks.