Andrew RT Davies MS – the Shadow Health Minister – has welcomed the introduction from next week of new rapid DNA tests to detect both Covid-19 and other winter viruses such as ‘flu and respiratory syncytial virus.
A new test – called LamPORE – that uses DNA to detect the virus will be rolled out across NHS hospitals from September, with 5,000 DNA machines, supplied by DnaNudge, to provide 5.8 million tests in the coming months. The swab tests do not require a trained health professional to operate them, meaning they can be introduced in more non-clinical settings, with results for both tests available in 90 minutes.
Welsh Conservative Mr Davies said:
“The introduction of these tests will be a real game-changer across the UK, and will help to further strengthen the coronavirus response this winter, arming both clinicians and NHS Test and Trace with the ability to distinguish between Covid-19 cases, which have specific self-isolation requirements, and other winter viruses.
“The faster and more widely we can detect Coronavirus as separate from seasonal ‘flu – and alert people – then the better prepared we should be for any winter surge.”