Dr. Jovanovic: Quick tests produce false results more often with "stealth": Can there be a new wave?

Virologist Tanja Jovanovic says it has been noticed there are more false negative antigen test results with the new, stealth subvariant of the Omicron strain. However, she does not expect a new, sixth wave of the epidemic, because the stealth is not a new variant of the virus, but a subvariant of Omicron.

The stealth subvariant of Omicron strain, which is also called invisible, has already been registered in about 60 countries, and two days ago in Serbia.

She told RTS that it was noticed that there were some more false negative antigen test results, because there are changes in that structure which is in the tests for proving viral antigen.

"So after that, the PCR test is performed for all patients who meet the definition of the case and have negative antigen tests, so the PCR retained its specificity and is the gold standard for diagnosis," explains the professor.

Omicron is represented by more than 90 percent

When it comes to the representation of various variants in Serbia, Jovanovic stated that Omicron is represented by more than 90 percent, and the Delta by less than 10 percent.

"As for the subvariant, I can't guess what the percentage is now, but considering that it is spreading fast I expect that it will reach the appropriate percentage very quickly, not to become dominant, but it will take some time to assume a significant position in the epidemic," says Jovanovic.

Elsewhere in Europe, this subvariant is most common in Denmark, where, as she pointed out, a large percentage of the population has been vaccinated, but anti-epidemic measures have been lifted.

No new wave is expected

However, she stressed that she does not expect a new, sixth wave of the epidemic, because the stealth is not a new variant of the virus, but a subvariant of the Omicron strain.

She explains that subvariants differ in about 20 mutations and that they provide "cross-immunity", i.e. protection to people who have already been infected with the original variant of Omicron.

"In that sense, we do not expect a dramatic increase in the number of infected people," says Jovanovic.

What is significant, she notes, although there is little data, is that the stealth does not give a more severe clinical picture, but spreads faster, because it has a slightly higher infectivity.

She appeals for Covid measures to be respected and for people to get vaccinated, although Omicron broke through the vaccination immunity, but not completely.

This means, she explained, that you can get infected, but a more severe clinical picture which requires hospitalization will not develop.

Is the end of the epidemic approaching?

Asked if the new mutations indicate the end of the epidemic, she stressed that the virus is not giving up, and expects the number of infected people to remain at a slightly higher level for some time to come.

"We expect the end to be close, considering that these new variants of the virus have shown affinity for the upper parts of the respiratory tract, so we have more if a cold syndrome, but that refers to immunocompetent, healthy people. As for the elderly, those who are immunocompromised, those with comorbidities, they can develop a more serious clinical picture, as shown by the data regarding the number of deaths," concluded Jovanovic.

(Telegraf.rs)