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19 Apr, 2021
Recent news coverage has focussed upon the two most prominent testing kit options available today. On one hand the Rapid Lateral Flow Test; known for its widespread use, 30-minute result time and low price point. On the other the PCR test, more expensive and takes a few days for results. Lateral Flow Tests use the same technology as pregnancy tests, with some suggesting in rare cases they are in fact pregnancy tests, has been mired in controversy because of the lack of accuracy. Scientists writing in the BMJ quote the mass testing pilot study in Liverpool resulted in 60% of people with COVID-19 being undetected. The evidence for greater accuracy with PCR testing is compelling, but with a minimum of 2-day turnaround, [as they require a laboratory to provide results] make them unpopular with a UK Government who has put much weight behind testing being behind our route out of the pandemic. In addition, recent news coverage has focussed upon the price of PCR testing being prohibitive for families looking to travel abroad. With prices quoted as high as £120 per test, for a family of four (for example) to provide negative test results prior to entering a foreign country, this adds further expense to the holiday. It would therefore look like the choice is between cost and accuracy. This has been turned on its heads by a third new option; the rapid immunofiltration test (Rifa). With a price point closer to the Lateral Flow Test but an accuracy rate more akin to a PCR test this is the way forward? Rapid immunofiltration test kits provide results within 3 minutes after obtaining nasal swabs, the results are visible and simple to understand. Ten times faster than LF tests. Rapid immunofiltration test kits detect the virus in smaller amounts. A hundred times smaller than LF tests. Good for asymptomatic cases. John Gunn, Managing Director or European Background reports , “This provides a solution which will answer our prayers with regard to a continuation of accurate mass-testing at a bearable cost”, that can be taken up very quickly.” John also adds, “Essentially the UK needs reliable rapid test kits. The margin of error on lateral flow testing kits is too high in our opinion. Also, for every false positive test achieved via a cheaper lateral flow test, they’ll need to take the PCR test anyway and that is expensive. Let’s by pass this elongated process and look to immunofiltration tests moving forward”
29 Jul, 2020
Bartlomiej Kowalczyk, director of Polish Business Link, which helps entrepreneurs set up in the UK, said there is “massive fear” among his membership base. “A lot of our members take goods from Poland, and the capacity of producers in Poland is getting squeezed because of the current situation,” he told HuffPost. “We’re in a good position here, as the UK government is helping business. When it comes to small businesses and self-employed people, the Polish government help is not that generous. “But the question is how the markets will be affected. If unemployment is as high as 10%, once things are open again, will new people want to come to the UK? Before this pandemic hit, the Polish economy was booming, compared with previous years. “So the advice we are giving to our members at the moment is everyone’s advice – businesses need to look now at how they can create opportunities, focusing on transformation and logistics, as the way we work will have changed.” A Home Office spokesperson said the government had extended its visa scheme for those unable to return to the UK due to Covid-19. “The extension...will apply to anyone whose leave expired after the 24 January and who cannot leave the country because of travel restrictions or self-isolation,” guidance states. “This will last until 31 May, but will be kept under regular review in case further extensions are needed.”
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