German agency allays fears over rapid tests detecting Omicron

The head of one of Germany's national medical agencies has allayed fears that rapid tests do not adequately detect the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, reported dpa.

The president of the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), Klaus Cichutek, told broadcaster ZDF that the institute had previously evaluated more than 250 test kits to a higher-than-normal level of sensitivity and that at least 80 per cent were also accurate at this level.

In general, rapid tests can only detect an infection if there is a high viral load at the time of testing.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Sunday that he had asked the institute to draw up a new list of which tests are able to adequately detect the new Omicron variant.

The vast majority of tests look for a protein of the virus that is relatively unaffected by the Omicron mutations, the institute has said.

As for whether current vaccines are able to effectively counter the Omicron strain of the virus, Cichutek was more cautious. Vaccines adapted to fight Omicron should be available in the first half of the year, he said.

The concerns over accurate tests and effective vaccines comes as Germany sees rising infection numbers partly due to the Omicron variant.

Lauterbach said on Sunday that "further measures will be needed" if numbers continue to rise.

On Friday German leaders agreed to bring in stricter measures for restaurants, cafes and bars. People who have recovered from Covid-19 or had been double vaccinated will still have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test. Those who have had a booster shot will be allowed to eat out without taking a test.