Follow-up PCR no longer required after lateral flow for asymptomatic Covid cases

The UK Health Security Agency has this afternoon confirmed that from 11 January People who test positive for Covid via a lateral flow and are asymptomatic will no longer require a follow-up PCR.

UKHSA chief executive Dame Jenny Harries has batted away fears that lateral flow positives are more likely to be inaccurate.

A review of 64 medical studied published by the Cochrane Database last March, concluded that lateral flow tests correctly identify 72% of infected people with symptoms, and 78% within the first week of becoming ill.

“While cases of Covid continue to rise, this tried-and-tested approach means that lateral flow devices can be used confidently to indicate Covid-19 infection without the need for PCR confirmation,” Dame Harries explained.

“It remains really important that anyone who experiences Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates immediately. They should also order a PCR test on gov.uk, or by phoning 119.”