More asymptomatic testing can be a vital tool to stop the spread of Covid | Susan Hopkins

Local authorities are being called on to expand their plans as well as to support people who need to self-isolateCoronavirus - latest coverageSee all our coronavirus coverageWe now know that around one in three people who have coronavirusnever show any symptoms but that does not mean they are not infectious. We need to use everything at our disposal to find these individuals without symptoms and support them and their contacts to isolate in order to break the chains of transmission.That is why thecommunity testingoffer is being expanded to all local authorities with a particular focus on workplace testing. This expansion will help keep workers safe by finding those who are infectious while protecting vital services and supporting employers to ensure that businesses can operate. Community testing plans are designed by local authorities and supported by national infrastructure. Directors of public health, with their detailed local knowledge and data, can ensure that the tests are targeted to have the greatest impact.Community testing will use lateral flow devices (LFDs) to test for coronavirus. These devices, which can give a rapid result in under 30 minutes without the need for laboratory testing, can help identify people who have high levels of the virus and no symptoms, who would not otherwise be coming forward for a test.Moreover, because these tests detect cases with high levels of virus, they are effective in finding individuals who are the most likely to transmit the dis...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus Infectious diseases Science UK news Source Type: news