Testing

I still think that the Scottish Government and UK government have little idea about how widespread covid 19 is within our society. Work needs to be carried out on sample testing in several communities throughout the UK to get a better understanding of this. This will allow policy makers to plan a better plans. The WHO still believes there is likely to be immunity of someone has had this. By not knowing how far the virus has spread there is little knowledge of the infection rate. Scientists have consistently talked about the R rate bit this is on the number of confirmed tests while we know that in the early stages it was very difficult to get a test. My own experience of that was being ill at home with suspected covid 19 for 3 weeks but as my breathing was still ok I could not get a test.
It would make sense that the R rate is going down as the number of tests being completed goes up.

Why the contribution is important

Knowing this data will help identify risk factors and get a better understanding of the infection rate.

by davidthomson333 on May 05, 2020 at 10:55PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.9
Based on: 42 votes

Comments

  • Posted by HTC May 05, 2020 at 23:14

    Totally agree that taking a random sample across the nation would be useful. This may allow us understand how far and wide the current spread of the virus is, which in turn may inform future decisions.
  • Posted by murrayme8 May 05, 2020 at 23:18

    I was in hospital next to the ward and never got tested which I think was bad I think ever house hold should be sent a testing kit
  • Posted by Lyzzy33 May 05, 2020 at 23:55

    We need to test more and more
  • Posted by Janmat1724 May 06, 2020 at 01:38

    If we want to open business and tourism up even just for travel within Scotland there has to be pretty comprehensive testing beforehand so it is possible to prevent transmission into areas from outside. Testing and track and trace are the key to everything.
  • Posted by Phoebe May 06, 2020 at 07:51

    I think it would be good to do but may shock you how low it is. New York which was reading with it may have only 25% pop sero convert. Not enough for herd immunity.

    Where testing is vital is care homes. They should virus test twice weekly all staff and residents. They could pool the samples to reduce the lab work. Any positives would mean individual re testing all staff and residents ASAP
  • Posted by Phoebe May 06, 2020 at 07:55

    Oops not bi weekly , test the care homes twice a week . Apologies
  • Posted by Mopsy May 06, 2020 at 08:18

    At the very least test people who attend the COVID assessment unit as well as hospital. I too strongly suspect I have been through the illness but it would be good to be tested.
  • Posted by Jane May 06, 2020 at 11:09

    Agree - full and accurate data is the power for our strategy to exit this as safely as possible
  • Posted by CarolineW May 07, 2020 at 21:56

    As a Nurse who manages a ward I have several staff in my unit who have been tested and/or members of their household who have been tested. It seems to me a lot of people who quite clearly have had the virus are testing negative because the test is taken too late. Some people seem to be without symptoms or have such mild symptoms in the first few days that by the time they develop more noticeable symptoms, are referred for testing, then have to wait 2-3 days to be tested they then test negative! The experience of staff being tested is also inconsistent with some staff saying the samples taken were not sufficient.
  • Posted by lizflett May 08, 2020 at 17:58

    Testing is the way to go. An accurate antibody test needs to be rolled out as soon as possible. Communities like Orkney where there has been a very low incidence needs to be able to test any suspected cases and contacts. We control who comes in and out of the islands so could elimate the virus from the islands with relative ease.
    We need to treat island communities differently.
    I agree with last comment - thus importance of antibody test
  • Posted by BruceE2 May 09, 2020 at 21:34

    We need more testing to get a realistic estimate of R
  • Posted by RH19 May 10, 2020 at 17:06

    Absolutely crucial at all levels. Continue with current testing but expedite antibody testing for all. Make it easy to get test online and show result like a pregnancy test so as immediate as possible. Result could be associated with NHS number so recorded. Could allow people with antibodies to get out of lockdown in a controlled manner.
  • Posted by Rhodamac May 11, 2020 at 10:18

    Test and trace key to adapting and containing to virus over the next few months
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