NC-based lab testing for COVID-19 omicron variant

CHARLOTTE — A North Carolina-based laboratory is testing for the COVID-19 omicron variant first detected in South Africa. Earlier this year, MAKO Medical partnered with the CDC to track variants.

“The qPCR assays our MAKO Medical team deploys checks for all three targets in a COVID-19 positive test result -- the N gene, S gene, and ORF1ab,” said Chief Operating Officer Josh Arant in a news release. “This is important because unlike the delta variant, which produces a signal for all three targets, early indication shows that the omicron variant is unique in that it will only produce a signal for the N gene and the ORF1ab gene. The TaqPath assay can be used as a proxy for the omicron variant.”

[ALSO READ: Omicron variant: What are the symptoms; are vaccines effective; what we know not]

Vice President of Lab Operations Steve Hoover said the tests have shown nearly 100% delta cases for a while. Now, the focus is to find omicron.

According to Hoover, Mako checks for all three targets in a positive COVID test, the N gene, S gene and the ORF1ab. Like the alpha variant first detected in the U.K., the spike gene isn’t present in omicron. This is referred to as the S Gene Dropout.

When that happens, Hoover said the tests are flagged and sent off for sequencing.

“These do stick out like a sore thumb,” he said. “We know the importance of it. So, we’re flagging those and trying to get those put through as quickly as possible.”

There is a lot that is still unknown about omicron, like whether it is actually more transmissible or causes more severe illness. For now, health leaders are asking people to take the same precautions that have been in place for months, like wearing a mask or getting the shots.

[ALSO READ: First case of omicron variant discovered in US]

“Just be smart. Keep your mask on. Get vaccinated if that’s what you choose to do,” resident Jorieka Downey said.

Those are some simple steps people can take for peace of mind while scientists across the world, like those at MAKO, try to figure what the world is dealing with.

“Our scientists come in every day, and they’re so excited to go to work,” Hoover said. “They’re making a huge difference to the population at large. We’re proud of all that.”

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MAKO typically did a sequence every 4 to 6 days but now with omicron, those are flagged and turned around within 48 hours.

(Watch the video below: Japan suspends new incoming flight reservations amid omicron fears)

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