ZURICH (Reuters) – Rapid COVID-19 tests that have become a key part of nations’ COVID-19 detection strategies will grow less effective as more people get vaccinated, Roche diagnostics chief Thomas Schinecker said on Tuesday.
Rapid antigen tests are reasonably accurate in detecting COVID-19 infections, especially compared to the flu, since viral loads in respiratory passageways are higher, Schinecker said on an investor call, but that will likely change as shots are rolled out and prevent severe infections with high viral loads.
This could drive future COVID-19 testing business to more-accurate molecular, or PCR, testing. Roche has rapid antigen tests, via its South Korean partner SD Biosensor Inc, as well as its own PCR tests.
(Reporting by John Miller; Editing by Michael Shields)
