Why did Liverpool not use the same LFT tests as Slovakia?
Mass Testing – What do we know?
Based on one weeks’ worth of data at Liverpool.
528 Positives
115,657 total tests.
Of which 69,643 were conducted with the Innova TriedandTested LFT.
Early in the testing, symptomatic and asymptomatic donors were not properly segregated.
At the centre itself, there was demarcation, but outside of that people mixed freely before the formation of the two lines.
Therefore, even when the 528 positives were standing in the correct line, i.e. asymptomatic donors, it is obvious from the pictures and video of the lines in Liverpool, that these same asymptomatic donors were within 2 metres of other donors who were negative for the virus.
What happens to these people in terms of the NHS Track and Trace App?
The positive asymptomatic donors are of course identified by their positivity of the test result.
If their phones were within 8 feet of other phones using the App, then the owners of these phones, (asymptomatic and negative) would be required to self-isolate.
We would then have the situation, that negative donors, who are in fact tested negative as well, are told to self-isolate because they have been standing in close proximity to a test positive donor.
If these negative asymptomatic donors had not bothered to submit to mass testing, then they would not have had the opportunity, (or rather misfortune) to be standing beside an asymptomatic donor who is subsequently tested positive with the LFT and subsequently confirmed as a true positive by PCR.
Unintended community transmission by standing in a queue to be tested.
Obvious questions.
Of the 528 positives, how many were subsequently confirmed positive by PCR?
Of these true positives how many will/have self-isolated?
How many of their close contacts, (as per above and their family/work colleagues) has Track and Trace contacted. How many of these people will self-isolate?
How many of the 115657 are repeat testers? (What encourages previously tested negative donors to stand in the rain a few days later to be tested again?)
If 115.657 represents approximately 12% of the greater Liverpool metro area, is that percentage after a week’s worth of testing hitting the goal?
Rapid Response:
Re: Mass testing for covid-19 in the UK
Dear Editor
Why did Liverpool not use the same LFT tests as Slovakia?
Mass Testing – What do we know?
Based on one weeks’ worth of data at Liverpool.
528 Positives
115,657 total tests.
Of which 69,643 were conducted with the Innova TriedandTested LFT.
Early in the testing, symptomatic and asymptomatic donors were not properly segregated.
At the centre itself, there was demarcation, but outside of that people mixed freely before the formation of the two lines.
Therefore, even when the 528 positives were standing in the correct line, i.e. asymptomatic donors, it is obvious from the pictures and video of the lines in Liverpool, that these same asymptomatic donors were within 2 metres of other donors who were negative for the virus.
What happens to these people in terms of the NHS Track and Trace App?
The positive asymptomatic donors are of course identified by their positivity of the test result.
If their phones were within 8 feet of other phones using the App, then the owners of these phones, (asymptomatic and negative) would be required to self-isolate.
We would then have the situation, that negative donors, who are in fact tested negative as well, are told to self-isolate because they have been standing in close proximity to a test positive donor.
If these negative asymptomatic donors had not bothered to submit to mass testing, then they would not have had the opportunity, (or rather misfortune) to be standing beside an asymptomatic donor who is subsequently tested positive with the LFT and subsequently confirmed as a true positive by PCR.
Unintended community transmission by standing in a queue to be tested.
Obvious questions.
Of the 528 positives, how many were subsequently confirmed positive by PCR?
Of these true positives how many will/have self-isolated?
How many of their close contacts, (as per above and their family/work colleagues) has Track and Trace contacted. How many of these people will self-isolate?
How many of the 115657 are repeat testers? (What encourages previously tested negative donors to stand in the rain a few days later to be tested again?)
If 115.657 represents approximately 12% of the greater Liverpool metro area, is that percentage after a week’s worth of testing hitting the goal?
Competing interests: No competing interests