Our second expert-led #COVID19 seminar has kicked off – this one’s on PCR diagnostics. Professor Will Irving has introduced Dr Kate Templeton, who is now talking about how to diagnose in the first seven days: it’s vital testing, results and reporting all happen at the right time.
PCR testing has to happen within ten days of infection. But what's the right sample? In mild cases, the nose gives the greatest yield, followed by the throat. But in hospital cases, just 65% of nose swabs are +ve, while ETT hits 100%.
The PCR test: incredible speed of development. The work began on 20 Jan with PHE Colindale, control dispatched on 5 Feb and live by 10 Feb. Testing ramped up quickly up to 1,000 a day within a week, peaking just under 4,000.
Testing pathways can be challenging, but multiple assays offer lots of options to labs. A huge amount of work has been undertaken across Scotland to achieve this.
Very important: PCR only works around clinical algorithms.
So negative COVID tests: is there value repeating them? Dr Kate Templeton says you get diminishing returns, though the first repeat test is often positive.
So negative COVID tests: is there value repeating them? Dr Kate Templeton says you get diminishing returns, though the first repeat test is often positive.
To summarise, we're a team in a tough match. Diagnostics are facing incredible challenges – everything has been achieved through incredible teamwork. #Collaboration is key.
And that’s a wrap. A huge thank you to Dr Kate Templeton and everyone who joined us. We covered a lot of ground, with a lot of interesting questions and answers at the end.
If you missed it tonight, we’ll be uploading the recorded seminar soon at: rcpath.org/profession/cor…
If you missed it tonight, we’ll be uploading the recorded seminar soon at: rcpath.org/profession/cor…
