Cases of Indian Covid variant ’10 to 20 times HIGHER’ amid fears lateral flow tests won’t detect it
Cases of the Indian Covid variant could be up to 10 to 20 times higher, scientists have confirmed, amid fears rapid tests may not be able to detect it. Pictured: A rapid lateral flow Covid-19 testing centre at London Bridge train stationBut MPs part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus were told by scientists today that the figure is likely to be at least 10 times higher.
“I think more recently, as infection rates have come down in the UK, a greater proportion are being sequenced... So i think it [the number of tests sequenced] is probably higher than that.“Although the numbers remain small, a PHE document this morning has identified more than that, and there is a big increase even though we are talking about small numbers.”
It has to be genetically sequenced in laboratories which can take weeks, therefore the true number of current cases of variants is never known.Prof Pillay questioned whether surge testing - currently being used in London to find cases of the South African variant - has limited use. Experts also explained how the lateral flow Covid tests - which everyone in England is recommended to do twice a week - may not pick up cases of the virus caused by new variants.MP Ms Morgan asked if it was possible the lateral flow tests would work the same on new variants, or worse.
They are being piloted as a way of safely entering mass events or venues, such as nightclubs or football matches. Dr Gabriel Scally, a visiting professor of public health at the University of Bristol and a member of the Independent Sage committee, said: “I don't believe in reds and greens, I believe in quarantine. There is no such thing as a half-quarantine. You can't do it by half - either do it property or don't do it all, which of course has been the UK’s position for far too long.
Deenan Pillay, also a member of Independent SAGE and professor of virology at University College London, said people will queue for “hours and hours” in the immigration hall at Heathrow airport.Lucy Moreton, a professional officer for the Immigration Services Union , which represents border immigration and customs staff in the UK, was quizzed on the severity of Covid risks at UK’s airports.
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