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The United Kingdom government plans to implement mass scale population testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection using Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs), yet the devices sensitivity is unknown. A study published in the open access journal
PLOS Biology by Alan McNally at University of Birmingham, UK, and colleagues suggests while LFDs are highly effective in identifying SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with high quantities of viral RNA present on the test swab, they are inaccurate at diagnosing infections in individuals with lower viral loads.
LFDs are increasingly used to increase testing capacity and screen asymptomatic populations for SARS-CoV-2 infection in mass surveillance programs, yet there are few data indicating the performance of these devices. To determine the sensitivity of LFDs, researchers tested the nasopharyngeal swabs of 8,000 university students using the devices. Next, they validated all positive samples and randomly selected 720 negative samples out of 7,187 negatives fo
Lateral flow testing should not be used as a green light for activities miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Schools and trusts should work closely with parents and carers (future references to parents should be read as including carers), staff and unions when agreeing the best approaches for their circumstances.
Overview
To prepare for this:
review and where necessary, update your risk assessment
make sure you are following the system of controls to minimise the risk of infection, including planning for asymptomatic testing
have a contingency plan in place for outbreaks in your school or changes in restrictions
communicate any changes in your processes to parents
Much of the content in this guidance will be familiar to you, as it replicates what was in place for the autumn term. We have made specific changes to the information on:
From today, Thursday 8 April, people who have no symptoms can pick up a rapid Covid testing kit from their local community testing centre – making it even easier to take the twice-weekly test to stop the virus spreading. As restrictions start to ease, regular testing alongside hands, face and space and spending time in the fresh air will be crucial to reducing the rate of infection in Gloucestershire. Currently, people who can’t work from home or who have to leave the house to care for others, can access regular rapid testing using Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) by booking a test at one of the county’s four community testing sites.
From today, Thursday 8 April, people who have no symptoms can pick up a rapid Covid testing kit from their local community testing centre – making it even easier to take the twice-weekly test to stop the virus spreading. As restrictions start to ease, regular testing alongside hands, face and space and spending time in the fresh air will be crucial to reducing the rate of infection in Gloucestershire. Currently, people who can’t work from home or who have to leave the house to care for others, can access regular rapid testing using Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) by booking a test at one of the county’s four community testing sites.