Quote:
Originally Posted by spiderplant
That's the case in England. In Wales, Scotland and NI they only count positive PCRs.
In England it does. But if you get a positive LFT followed by a negative PCR, you are removed from the count.
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/about-data
Note that false-positive LFTs are rare. |
False negative LFTs are more concerning though.
But on another note, let's not forget what they both measure. Both tests fundamentally work the same way, but a PCR is more precise.
It is looking for a match with a gene sequence from the virus.
If that gene sequence is present in the sample it will return positive (within cycle count).
This means that the virus has been found in the sample. It doesn't mean the virus is replicating in the person the sample was taken from, and it doesn't mean the person is contagious.
I seem to recall seeing a few weeks back there was a new covid test which could be used on saliva which could detect that. Potentially a lot more useful...
(Especially given the inventor of the PCR test said exactly this)