Is testing being phased out now by stealth ?

[Twinklingstarface]

Is the Gvt easing us out of this pandemic by testing less so positive case numbers appear to have dropped in a few weeks? I’m sure with the lack of tests employees and pupils will still need to attend work rather than assuming a positive result in absence of a test. All chemists here are out of stock so is this the beginning of the end of asymptomatic isolations?

One can only hope

With any luck yes.

If the new variant is as mild as it seems to be then, yes, testing and isolating for asymptomatic cases seems a bit pointless.

Is there a shortage of PCR tests as well?

People can still get tested if they want to.

I've heard that theory voiced. But I'm more inclined to believe it's a chronic lack of preparedness on the part of the government.

@Xmasiscancelledagain

Is there a shortage of PCR tests as well?

People can still get tested if they want to.

Yes there has been a shortage of PCR tests too

@Xmasiscancelledagain

Is there a shortage of PCR tests as well?

People can still get tested if they want to.

Yes, there is a shortage of PCR tests as well

They are phasing it all out I think !
.. got to ' live with it ' .. as Javid said
even if the NHS collapses etc etc

Hopefully, what’s the point in all this testing anyway? It’s the isolation that’s bothering the hospitals surely, having no staff?

Testing is unsustainable. Think how much it costs to buy in all these tests (from China!) which are then given out free of charge. Also the environmental impact of all that bloody plastic sickens me.

I suspect it’s a deliberate move to get us used to “living with” the virus.

I think if that IS the game, then they need to very sharply remove the need for contacts, and symptomatic but otherwise “well” people to isolate.

Otherwise they’re effectively locking down the country, if nobody can “test to release”- and leaving frontline services horribly
short staffed.

Which could also be a strategy I suppose.

Either way, am feeling very “over it”.

I wondered the same. Hope so!

Also -

It’s not very fucking stealthy if we’ve all asked the question, is it!!

No idea with this government whether it’s malice or idiocy. Both are equally possible.

Not testing when asymptomatic makes my battered nasal membranes sing with joy, but then I also worry about visiting my mum who’s in very ill health, and passing on something that could affect her badly. We avoid her when we have colds or similar, but covid is a weird one for being asymptomatic on one person and badly affecting another. As with most things in this pandemic, both options suck.

That would be stupid and dangerous.

So maybe, yes.

I'm in Scotland so household contacts still need to isolate for 10 days. It's a pain in the arse.
Those that are positive also still have 10 day isolation

@VaguelyInteresting

Also -

It’s not very fucking stealthy if we’ve all asked the question, is it!!

😂😂😂😂 you're not wrong!

@VaguelyInteresting

Also -

It’s not very fucking stealthy if we’ve all asked the question, is it!!

No that’s very true. Operating by stealth isn’t something the government tend to excel at!

'Living with the virus' doesn't mean carry on and ignore it. What he actually said was:

"So I've been determined that we must give ourselves the best chance of living alongside the virus and avoiding strict measures in the future."

So
a) there will be steps to create that 'bestbchance' and testing may well be that
b) he's s only hoping to avoid 'strict' measures. Not all measures.

hopefully!

@AnyFucker

One can only hope

This was exactly the phrase in my mind when I saw the question!

I know a couple of people who work at testing sites who have been told their contracts will not be renewed after end of March

@dementedpixie

I'm in Scotland so household contacts still need to isolate for 10 days. It's a pain in the arse. Those that are positive also still have 10 day isolation

Yes but the point is if there’s no tests many won’t know they have a positive especially if no symptoms- they can’t just isolate with no positive proof.

I remember April being mentioned a while ago as the date when testing would end.

I’m over it. DS has tested positive for a second time. His friend tested positive, his mum told me and a lateral flow confirmed.

I’m not bothering to try and get a pcr for him, why waste resources, he’s isolating so doing the right thing. Luckily we’ve lat flows for him to test on days 6 and 7. And for us to test to ensure we don’t get it from him.