08-12-20, 12:26 AM
(08-12-20, 12:11 AM)fazersharp link Wrote: Did she also tell you that if she gets a positive result from the lateral flow test that she then has to get a proper pcr test to confirm it. Seems that they are happy to accept a negative LFT but not a positive.Probably because:a) It's still a good way to catch asymptomatic patients or those not yet showing symptoms. Even though its not a 100% accurate test, it's still good to catch those who wouldn't be tested otherwise. Whilst those showing symptoms will likely be pretty ill and be given a PCR test anyway.b) Although it has a low false positive rate (0.32% ish), the socio-economically ramifications of telling someone (and housemates) to isolate for 14 days is great, so why not double check them with a PCR test to confirm they do indeed have covid?
c) To test everyone with the PCR test is a huge drain on resources, with resources needing to go to screening labs etc. The LFT is a reasonable first pass test to help bring cases down.