People who are positive for coronavirus on a lateral flow test will no longer be able to check the result with a PCR test under plans to create the capacity for laboratories to deal with soaring cases.
Most people who test positive on a lateral flow device would instead be told to isolate for at least seven days without confirmation. The proposal is supported by scientists because rising infection rates reduce the risk of false positives.
Officials have blamed distributors for test kit shortages, saying supplies should return to normal next week. The healthcare firm responsible for sending lateral flow tests to pharmacies received 2.5 million tests on December 24 and then closed for a “planned Christmas break”.
About 1.5 million tests a day are