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https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2021/12-03-2021-lab-alert-CDC_Update_SARS-CoV-2_Omicron_Variant.html

***Not my information***

What Laboratories Should Know:

There are no authorized, cleared, or approved diagnostic tests to specifically detect SARS-CoV-2 variants (Omicron or other variants). Currently, COVID-19 tests are designed and authorized to check broadly for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, not for specific variants.

The Omicron variant has a deletion in the spike (S) gene (Δ69-70). Some molecular tests with multiple genetic targets include a target covering the portion of the S gene where the deletion occurs. The presence of this mutation can result in an S-gene target failure (SGTF, also referred to as an S-gene drop out). The S-gene target will fail (return as negative) while other targets are expected to remain positive in the presence of this virus. SGTF can signal the need for sequencing to characterize the variant in a specimen.

SGTF has been observed in other variants and thus is not specific to the Omicron variant

When one can refer to the sometimes “beloved” CDC and find information such as this, those who cite the CDC as secular gospel ignore Data such as this. This would include all the previous “variants” breathlessly announced in past months.

Continuing the citation: “Results regarding the presence of the Omicron variant, or any other variant, should not be reported back to patients or providers and cannot be used for diagnostic purposes.”

CANNOT BE USED FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSE.

Odd, that.

To be clear, the SGTF is currently a very strong indicator that the variant is Omicron. There are no other variants currently circulating that give this result (Alpha was the first variant to cause SGTF, and Omicron is in the same lineage, B.1.1.X). So the hospital can know to a high degree of confidence if the result is Omicron from the RT-PCR result.

Amazing that CDC doesn’t want labs to report the SGTF result back to the healthcare provider, as it could be key in determining their treatment plan. For example, what MAB to use, since most are ineffective against Omicron. The Doctor would also know that Omicron is much lower risk, and minimize the treatment to just reduce symptoms, while taking more aggressive action with patients with “not Omicron” because that variant is more severe.

Obviously, the RT-PCR is not approved by the FDA to diagnose specific variants. Fine, the SGTF result is not a diagnosis, but it’s still valuable information the doctor can use.