Page 3 | Twice weekly lateral flow tests for households of school pupils

SingANewSongChickenTikka · 2021-02-28T08:45:58+00:00

This seems a brilliant step forward, twice weekly lateral flow tests for households and bubbles of school staff and school pupils. Posted or ‘click and collect’. Yes the lateral flow tests have their limitations, but it still should help I think. [[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-for-households-and-bubbles-of-school-pupils-and-staff]]

covetingthepreciousthings · 28/02/2021 10:01

[quote KatherineOfGaunt]@covetingthepreciousthings False positives aren't common, it's false negatives that could lull people into a false sense of security.[/quote]
That's reassuring to know.

covetingthepreciousthings · 28/02/2021 10:02

It'll be interesting to see what the uptake of these are.

I wouldn't be surprised if these become commonplace in more workplaces out of healthcare settings, weekly tests for supermarket workers maybe? I think I've seen on another thread Waitrose already do this?

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 28/02/2021 10:06

How do these work anyway? Does the test 'develop' itself like a pregnancy test, or do you need to send them off somewhere?

Frazzled2207 · 28/02/2021 10:06

@covetingthepreciousthings
any workplace with more then 50 staff can currently get then delivered directly, I believe

MarshaBradyo · 28/02/2021 10:06

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

How do these work anyway? Does the test 'develop' itself like a pregnancy test, or do you need to send them off somewhere?

They develop in 30 mins iirc

ArosAdraDrosDolig · 28/02/2021 10:07

They just seem so inaccurate as to be a waste of money

Woolff · 28/02/2021 10:07

@ILookAtTheFloor

I did order the box of 7 tests but there's no way I'll take them twice a week.

I'll put them in a cupboard just in case.

And there's no way I'm testing my kids twice weekly. Only if they had symptoms, or maybe if they'd been exposed. We got the link to order on Friday and it caused some consternation in my parents whatsapp groups, the guidance says no need to test primary children but lots of parents at my daughters' school assumed it was for all family members including newborn babies!

Just in case of what exactly?

These are NOT for use if someone has symptoms.

They are to be used in the hope of picking up a (very small) percentage of asymptomatic cases that otherwise would go completely unnoticed.

ILookAtTheFloor · 28/02/2021 10:08

[quote ineedaholidaynow]@ILookAtTheFloor when are you planning to use them?[/quote]
If someone feels unwell, or if (when allowed) we visit anxious relatives we could use them for reassurance.

I'm not personally worried about covid but I know others are.

KatherineOfGaunt · 28/02/2021 10:09

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

How do these work anyway? Does the test 'develop' itself like a pregnancy test, or do you need to send them off somewhere?

Yes, much like a pregnancy test. You swab, dip the swab in a liquid, then put some of the liquid on the tray. It creeps up the window and in 30 mins you have one line for negative and two for positive.

covetingthepreciousthings · 28/02/2021 10:10

If someone feels unwell, or if (when allowed) we visit anxious relatives we could use them for reassurance.

If someone feels unwell you should be getting a PCR test surely and not relying on these which aren't as accurate?

KatherineOfGaunt · 28/02/2021 10:11

@ILookAtTheFloor If someone has symptoms get them a proper test!! These are for asymptomatic testing only.

They're only about 72% effective at picking up positive cases.

Woolff · 28/02/2021 10:11

@ILookAtTheFloor If someone feels unwell with Covid symptoms, you all need to isolate and book a proper PCR test. You can't just use these, as they don't pick up anywhere near every positive.

Frazzled2207 · 28/02/2021 10:11

@ArosAdraDrosDolig

They just seem so inaccurate as to be a waste of money

i don't think they're totally useless. Have definitely heard of them picking up quite a few asyptomatic cases that wouldn't have been picked up otherwise.

if it reduces the chances of my kids class bubble bursting by just a bit, then that's good for me. But it does seem like an awful lot of expense and faff for just a small amount of gain.

ILookAtTheFloor · 28/02/2021 10:11

They are much likely to pick up symptomatic infections than asymptomatic!

As it happens my sister was completely asymptomatic when she took one and was positive. She lost her taste a week later. I have faith in the lateral flow tests.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 28/02/2021 10:12

@KatherineOfGaunt thanks. I had in my head there was a machine they went in. So secondary schools, hospitals etc would have a machine. Which makes no sense now I think about it.

ihearttc · 28/02/2021 10:13

I’m a TA and we do them at work. It showed up my positive very very clearly. I was the first one that tested positive so in some way it was good as it shows they definitely work.

Maybe those posters who don’t want to do them could perhaps think how school staff feel every single day. Honestly anything to try and get back to some sort of normality.

itsgettingwierd · 28/02/2021 10:13

I work in a school and ds is returning to college.

So I've been doing them and he will start a Anyway!

I agree if it's a way to control spread in any way (and yes there is limitations on picking up positives) I think it's worth it.

But also agree with posters that take up is likely to be low. We just don't seem to have the same attitude as other countries to this. (Mostly Asian countries). Perhaps because this is new to us?

ineedaholidaynow · 28/02/2021 10:14

They do work but not 100% by a long way, so would still be cautious visiting people who are anxious, especially if not vaccinated

KatherineOfGaunt · 28/02/2021 10:14

@ILookAtTheFloor

They are much likely to pick up symptomatic infections than asymptomatic!

As it happens my sister was completely asymptomatic when she took one and was positive. She lost her taste a week later. I have faith in the lateral flow tests.

Lateral flow tests are for people without symptoms.

www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-lateral-flow-antigen-testing-for-people-without-symptoms#who-can-be-tested

Frazzled2207 · 28/02/2021 10:14

@ihearttc

I’m a TA and we do them at work. It showed up my positive very very clearly. I was the first one that tested positive so in some way it was good as it shows they definitely work.

Maybe those posters who don’t want to do them could perhaps think how school staff feel every single day. Honestly anything to try and get back to some sort of normality.

pleased to hear that you think they're worth it. I just hope schools actively encourage. Hope you're now recovered.

juliainthedeepwater · 28/02/2021 10:14

Sorry, haven't had time to read the whole thread, but is anyone else concerned about administering these tests so often on a small child? My son will start reception in September, so am working on the assumption this will still be in place. The three PCR tests he's had so far have been increasingly traumatic, to the point he had to be physically restrained last time and it was awful for everyone. He's normally a v stoical child with injections etc. but has an awful reaction to these tests... I understand how beneficial this system will be in lots of ways but god I have a lump in my throat thinking of how we will get this done twice a week.. on top of the upheaval of starting school. I just wish saliva tests were available in this country.

Does anyone have any advice for making the experience less upsetting for small ones? Treats are just not cutting it with mine - very unusual!

ILookAtTheFloor · 28/02/2021 10:15

[quote Woolff]**@ILookAtTheFloor* If someone feels unwell* with Covid symptoms, you all need to isolate and book a proper PCR test. You can't just use these, as they don't pick up anywhere near every positive.[/quote]
I would do all those things.

I'd use one of these in the interim though. Why wouldn't I?

MarshaBradyo · 28/02/2021 10:16

if it reduces the chances of my kids class bubble bursting by just a bit, then that's good for me

Frazzled do you mean only the positive tested child stays home? And the rest go in

spacegirl86 · 28/02/2021 10:16

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

How do these work anyway? Does the test 'develop' itself like a pregnancy test, or do you need to send them off somewhere?

It's exactly like a pregnancy test (without the peeing). One line negative, two lines positive.

ILookAtTheFloor · 28/02/2021 10:16

@juliainthedeepwater

Sorry, haven't had time to read the whole thread, but is anyone else concerned about administering these tests so often on a small child? My son will start reception in September, so am working on the assumption this will still be in place. The three PCR tests he's had so far have been increasingly traumatic, to the point he had to be physically restrained last time and it was awful for everyone. He's normally a v stoical child with injections etc. but has an awful reaction to these tests... I understand how beneficial this system will be in lots of ways but god I have a lump in my throat thinking of how we will get this done twice a week.. on top of the upheaval of starting school. I just wish saliva tests were available in this country.

Does anyone have any advice for making the experience less upsetting for small ones? Treats are just not cutting it with mine - very unusual!

The guidance says no need to test primary children and below.

Householders but not the little ones.