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Nathaniel Hafer, Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School

Just how accurate are rapid antigen tests? Two testing experts explain the latest data

Once in short supply, rapid antigen tests are now available throughout the U.S. Boy_Anupong/Moment via Getty Images

As of May 2022, the U.S. is experiencing another uptick in the number of COVID-19 cases. High rates of infection in Europe and Asia, along with the continued emergence of new sub-variants, such as omicron BA.4 and BA.5, raise concerns that another surge could be on the way.

Even though demand for COVID-19 tests greatly overwhelmed supply earlier in the pandemic, rapid home tests are more available today. While home tests provide a quick, accurate result, the flip side is that many test results are no longer reported to health authorities. The power behind widely available over-the-counter testing is that people can quickly and conveniently know their infection status early on to prevent spreading the virus to others.

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