Roche and its subsidiary TIB Molbiol on Thursday announced that they have developed a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that detects and differentiates the latest variant of concern, XBB.1.5.

Meridian Bioscience said on Friday that the Emergency Use Authorization for its Revogene SARS-CoV-2 molecular test has been reissued by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The director of Columbia University’s Center for Infection and Immunity talked about problems with antigen tests and the need for continued investment in COVID-19 testing.

The FDA cautioned in late 2021 after the omicron variant emerged that antigen tests may have reduced sensitivity, meaning they correctly identify fewer people with COVID-19. Data have continued to accumulate that the tests are not as sensitive to the newer variants of the virus, Stenzel said.

FDA issued a recommendation on June 30, 2022 to COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers that indicated that they should include an Omicron subvariant BA.4/5 component in their vaccines.

According to Radio Television Hong Kong and Sing Tao Daily reports on February 20, a study found that the new coronavirus may cause hypogonadism and decreased fertility in male patients, and patients will still be affected after recovery.

While the Omicron variant continues to infect people around the world, researchers at the University of Missouri have identified the highly prevalent, specific mutations that are causing the Omicron variant’s high rate of infection.

The US Food and Drug Administration released a notice on Thursday that Meridian Biosciences' Revogene SARS-CoV-2 test is unlikely to be able to detect the Omicron variant.

The US Food and Drug Administration said on Friday that it has updated its website tracking the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on molecular diagnostic tests to include tests likely affected by the Omicron variant.

Currently available polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can detect the emerging Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.