• The objective of the study was to re-evaluate the performance characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen test with those of RT-PCR and viral culture during periods of greater population immunity and recently circulating Omicron variants.

• Among participants enrolled in the study during increased disease and vaccine-induced immunity, circulating viruses differed antigenically from ancestral strains, and there was a similar proportion of infections detected by antigen and culture.

• But, by RT-PCR detection, it was higher compared to that either by antigen or culture

• Compared to RT-PCR, the sensitivity of the paired antigen test was low, but higher when compared to culture.

• Even though the culture result is not an absolute marker of transmissibility, the pattern of positive antigen tests may suggest a transmissible virus and might aid in determining when symptoms begin to resolve.

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