Forum Topic

Testing

There is a pop contest centre at the town hall today and tomorrow. WBC website has full details of eligibility for a test etc

Andy Pike ● 2234d31 Comments

Matt are you saying they can't still book a test on the government web site?

Ed Robinson ● 2232d

I'm afraid as of today this is currently incorrect.We work with 10 care homes and none of them are able to get testing for staff or residents unless they are displaying symptoms.no doubt it will happen but currently its just words.

Matt Palmer ● 2232d

I assume this is one of the satellite sites mentioned in the overall testing figures of 100,000.I hope there has been take up on this site. I assume there is still time to book and anyone who meets the criteria should try.It will be interesting to get the number of tests allocated to the site and compare to the number of people actually tested.The worry now is days will be spent celebrating or arguing over an arbitrary number when the import thing is how the increase in capacity will be used. Ultimately that comes down to how many fewer deaths area recorded amongst those most vulnerable. Let's hope it makes a difference.

Ed Robinson ● 2233d

"My reading of the testing was that anyone who works on the front line AND ARE DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS can be tested!"No Bunny - that is nolonger the case.All those working on the frontline in health and social care (with or without symptoms)!Patients in the NHS and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms)Then the rest are with symptoms. This is the big game changer to test asymptomatic carriers.

Ed Robinson ● 2233d

"Abbott have just received approval of their new antibody test, which is 98% accurate."The accuracy refers to detecting antibodies, however the antibodies may not appear until 10+ days after infection. That may be too late to protect the vulnerable from being infected. It does look like an exciting development. How they are going to use them I'm not certain.

Ed Robinson ● 2233d

My reading of the testing was that anyone who works on the front line AND ARE DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS can be tested!

Bunny Payne ● 2233d

@ Andy, hahahaha that really made me laugh!!

Bunny Payne ● 2233d

NickThat's great news. MichaelAs a comparative data measure if there is a rereliable +/_ % then good stats can be drawn. The problem with a high failure rate would be those thinking they were clear and acting accordingly.but as part of the wider testing solution yes they will be good.

Andy Pike ● 2233d

Andy. It think the usefulness of the test based on its quality depends a bit on what it's being used for: if it's to look at an individual's risk then it's probably not any use if it has a high error rate, however, (and I half heard this on the radio while doing something else) if you're using it to trace or build up statistics for R by extrapolating results from multiple tests then if you know the error rates and have large enough samples you can factor the unreliability in. Again, I'm sure someone who knows more about this area than I do will correct or explain further.On another point. I found this NYT article interesting, I've seen others outlining this but none in such detail ...https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/30/science/coronavirus-mutations.html

Michael Ixer ● 2233d

Andy, I believe Abbott have just received approval of their new antibody test, which is 98% accurate. It is already widely available in the US.http://www.pharmatimes.com/news/abbott_launches_covid-19_lab-based_antibody_test_1339336Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 2233d

The blood test would be useful if it was reliable. At the moment there is no reliable blood test. The scientists keep saying that a bad Test is worse than no test and the blood tests they have trialed so far give too many false positives to be reliable. One wonders when they do test track and trace how the public will view the 'invasion' to their privacy as some may see it.

Andy Pike ● 2233d

Hello Ed, As far as Lucille's message is concerned, namely:  "Meanwhile, after the first few days you are no longer infectious and the only test that is worth checking is a blood test to see if you have anti bodies after you recover" This blood test (apparently a prick in the finger similar to diabetes tests) has been mentioned a few times by Matt Hancock, Chris Whitty and Paul Vallance during their briefings on coronavirus.  This has also been mentioned in the news and newspapers. Thank you

Ivonne Holliday ● 2233d

Thats right Michael,R is important but it is also an average for the transmission. It doesn't take account of the impact of the transmission to the more vulnerable.Until the government gets a grip on the full WHO recommendations these tests and some PPE if we are lucky, are the only thing that can help protect the vulnerable becoming a statistic.The government needs to be more open and clear in its message. Give the facts and explain the reason behind decisions.As clearly many have been made on capacity.Countries that have female leaders may have done better due to their natural ability to manage several things at once.We now have testing but the rest of the tools are still missing.Sorry typing and walking with male brain

Ed Robinson ● 2233d

Yes, but that's true of any test, Corona, HIV, even MOT or exams (I hate to think of all the things I learn for exams and have now forgotten) - that's why there needs to be a testing programme that repeats test ... the virus can't be eliminated but 'R' can be kept small by testing, testing, testing, ..., tracking and tracing and, let's hope soon, treating ... but this is really Ed's field not mine ...

Michael Ixer ● 2233d

I get that Ed - it is very important indeed but even if someone is clear when they have the test today or tomorrow they could still develop the virus within days after testing takes place.

Lucille Grant ● 2233d

Lucille these test detect current infection. This is vital for care home and hospital staff who may not be showing symptoms.Testing can help prevent spread to vulnerable patients.People are getting the different types and purpose mixes up.

Ed Robinson ● 2233d

Ed - The seven days isolation anyone  who has been in contact with a coronavirus patient illustrates  that the  sick person is no longer  infectious once those  seven days have passed.

Lucille Grant ● 2233d

Michael I completely agree.But this change of testing policy is still very relevant for care homes and hospitals.The challenge will be taking up the testing capacity after being very rigid on the eligibility earlier.Pass on to anyone of interest and pass pack how long the results take to get back please.

Ed Robinson ● 2234d

The problem is Andy is that the message the government has been putting out was dependent upon capacity.Now we have increased capacity they are falling back to WHO guidelines.However organisations and people can be slow to change.We need to get the correct message out.This has not helped by the government being woolly and unclear.The challenge now is to make sure that the capacity is used and the other WHO guidelines are followed I.e. trace, isolate!

Ed Robinson ● 2234d

Testing is just the first part, when are the track and trace elements starting: May, June?

Michael Ixer ● 2234d

Seems strange as those in hospital are attended by staff in full PPE at all times. Surely there would be no need for this if your assertion was correct. Also coffins of the dead sealed to avoid onward transmission.

Andy Pike ● 2234d

Lucille - what source are you using for this information?

Ed Robinson ● 2234d

I will be getting back on train/bus/tube as soon as lockdown is lifted and I need to (be it seeing friends / going to work). I will ensure that I don't touch face/hands like I did before lockdown but apart from that will go about my business as normal. I think you'll find there is a difference between the different age groups. Those more susceptible to becoming very ill will probably be more cautious than the 0-39 age category.

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2234d

Sorry for duplication - not sure how that happened.Meanwhile, after the first few days you are no longer infectious and the only test that is worth checking is a blood test to see if you have anti bodies after you recover.

Lucille Grant ● 2234d

Completely agree Jonathan.A lot of people will not know the change of testing strategy due to the increased capacity.We need to get word out to those mentioned as being in scope for testing. Please pass on to anyone who falls into the new target for testing. Organisations are often slow to catch up with changes etc

Ed Robinson ● 2234d

From WBC website:A pop-up test centre will operate at Wandsworth Town Hall on Friday 1 May and Saturday 2 May, for older people and essential workers who think they may have contracted coronavirus, plus those with a clinical referral from 111.PLEASE NOTE THE TEST WILL NOT SHOW IF YOU'VE ALREADY HAD COVID-19, ONLY IF YOU HAVE THE INFECTION ON THE DAY OF THE TEST. (My caps - how helpful is this test in reality?)You will need to book an appointment and you must take some sort of ID demonstrating you are an essential worker such as a staff ID badge or a letter or email from your employer.

Lucille Grant ● 2234d

From WBC website:A pop-up test centre will operate at Wandsworth Town Hall on Friday 1 May and Saturday 2 May, for older people and essential workers who think they may have contracted coronavirus, plus those with a clinical referral from 111.PLEASE NOTE THE TEST WILL NOT SHOW IF YOU'VE ALREADY HAD COVID-19, ONLY IF YOU HAVE THE INFECTION ON THE DAY OF THE TEST. (My caps - how helpful is this test in reality?)You will need to book an appointment and you must take some sort of ID demonstrating you are an essential worker such as a staff ID badge or a letter or email from your employer.

Lucille Grant ● 2234d

Phew!! The mind was boggling! "Confessions of a pop performer" came to mind. But in the Municipal Buildings?!

David Ainsworth ● 2234d

This has to be just the start of it. Until we can identify the carriers of the virus and isolate them we will never be able to return to normal. While it’s obviously good that the testing regime is ramping up there’s a massive task ahead and we’re way behind the curve in addressing it. When will you feel OK about getting on a bus or the tube again?

Jonathan Callaway ● 2234d

Good news Andy and no singing ability required ;)The important thing is testing strategy has changed. I.e top of the list is the following:All those working on the frontline in health and social care (with or without symptoms)Details belowhttps://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/coronavirus/covidtesting/Tests will be offered only to the following categories of people, and in some cases members of their household. The tests are not being offered to other members of the public at this time.All those working on the frontline in health and social care (with or without symptoms)Patients in the NHS and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms)All essential workers with symptoms – find out if you are an essential workerAnyone over 65 with symptomsAnyone who goes into work because they cannot work from home (for example, construction workers) and has symptomsAnyone who has symptoms and lives with someone who meets any of the above criteriaYou can also apply for a test if you have a clinical referral from NHS 111 online

Ed Robinson ● 2234d

That should be pop up test centre at town hall today and tomorrow.

Andy Pike ● 2234d