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New 10 minute test could replace PCR for travel
PCR tests, while regarded as the most accurate tests for Covid, take much longer to process. Now there could be an alternaitve that could be a game-changer for travel (although I have heard this several times before…). Today, researchers from the University of Birmingham have confirmed the speed, accuracy, and simplicity of a novel, highly sensitive testing method for COVID-19 that can be deployed at entertainment venues, airport arrival terminals, etc
The scientists confirmed that the EXPAR method is just as sensitive, but faster, than both PCR and LAMP tests which are currently used in hospital settings. The Birmingham COVID-19 test, called RTF-EXPAR, gives a sample-to-result time of under 10 minutes, even for low viral levels where current lateral flow tests are less effective.
This would mean that you could potentially get tested at the airport prior to departure or on arrival meaning that all the anxious waits for test results should be a thing of the past along with finding a local test provider. The main issue will be how much the tests cost when they are manufactured as it’s of no use if it is prohibitively expensive.
They are now looking for commercial partners to turn this into a reality.
Many Day 2 test results lost
Meanwhile, the scandal of the handling of the government-mandated tests for day 2 and 8 continues. After an investigation found that despite the government saying that these tests were necessary to detect new variants abroad, it was found that only atiny number were actually sequenced. In the three-week period from July 1, only 354 of these tests were genomic sequenced to identify new variants of concern out of 500,000 tests it is reported. Of the 1.4% who tested positive out of the half a million tests, this means just 5% of those were sequenced.
Now to add to the seamingly pointless and expensive tests, it has now been revewled by The Telegraph that some companies are failing to report up to 150,000 results a week to the government.
Both these stories just go to show what a complete mockery the expensive day 2 tests are. While there needs to be some testing to ensure we keep track of cases and variants, this is blatantly not working as well as costing huge amounts of money. A rapid test with a PCR needed only for those that test positive would be cheaper and easier for travellers, particularly for those at less risk such as the fully vaccinated
Apparently, more than £11 million has been spent on these tests – wow, that’s quite a money-spinner!
The missing tests account for more than 40% of the results from the 350,000 PCR tests a week on amber list travellers being recorded as “unregistered”. In this way, if a new “variant of concern” was to enter the UK, it could be very hard for the government to track the outbreak.
This doesn’t surprise me as I have heard numerous stories of tests not arriving or being done very late and the government seeming completely unaware. This suggests that they are not actually tracking whether people do the tests or not, again making it pretty meaningless.
Is now the time they need to remove these tests and do something similar? Let us know in the comments below.
US mandate masks for air travel until 2022
One of the things I really hate about travelling now is having to wear a mask on a long haul flight while lying down trying to sleep. I can live with it on short haul, but when it is a long flight and you want to sleep, having a mask is very annoying. It seems particularly pointless in business class in an individual suite and when you can take the mask off to eat and drink anyway. It’s also pointless in the UK when anyone can claim that they are exempt without any proof whatsoever.
Some airlines have made dispensations for business class such as Qatar and Cathay (while lying down). Sadly I think masks will be around for at least another year or so until countries reach a majority of their population being vaccinated.
Now the US has extended their federal mandate that passengers must wear a mask until at least 18 January 2022. This will apply to trains and buses and at airports and train stations to address ongoing COVID-19 risks.
7 comments
Regarding Test Certificates. There doesn’t seem to be a standard test certificate. Travelling to TYO for the Games, we were required to have 3 PCR tests before travelling. The ‘certificate ‘ produced by Healthium was an email, and missed 5 points required by the Japanese Government, despite Healthium being on the Olympic Games Accredited List. If we had tried to board with those certificates, we would have been denied boarding. After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing Healthium did provide acceptable certificates.
A colleague had tests done at Heathrow, and boarded his Finnair flight to HEL without any problem, but was denied boarding for HEL-TYO, as his 2 page certificate didn’t have ‘British’ on the first page, only the second. He and one other passenger spent the night in the airport, as they weren’t allowed to leave the airport, and were told that would need a new PCR test!!! They did manage to get round that, and flew the following day.
Yes it’s quite ridiculous all the different test standards and info needed on certificates. They should establish a system for major countries that’s the same everywhere if they want people to travel again. Hopefully by next year things will become simpler.
Been to Spain this month and flew with BA in Club Europe from London City.
Pre-Departure testing was fine for the two boys we travelled with. London City testing centre was not busy and results were released an hour after testing.
Testing for all seven of us in Spain was similarly easy. The lab in Andalusia even opened specifically for us as a group and was relatively inexpensive (€40 each)
The Day 2 test back in the UK with Qured was quick and effective with results sent to us within 48 hours of posting over a weekend. However, the tests were expensive (£70 each) and I question why a PCR test was required after testing negative only a day or so previous. I agree PCR should only be used (and genome sequenced) after a cheap LFT preferably taken at the airport while waiting for luggage.
A BIG problem is the paperwork both for Spain and returning to UK – it was time consuming and completely pointless. Entering the same info over and over again in an intricate web based form. Luckily we’re PC literate – I dread to think how older people would cope or those without a laptop to rely on.
Yes the U.K. one is particularly onorous I think. However it does remember your basic details if you travel again which is one blessing. I’ve just done the Swiss one and that was extremely simple.
Earlier in the year Randox lost our day 8 tests. When it came to light they simply said never mind we’ll refund you. I asked if they should be retaken and we were told it didn’t matter as no one official registered the results or if the test had even been taken or not. That was the point we realised the test taking thing was just an exploitative racket.
Exactly! Pointless if they don’t even check you take it.
Rules about mask wearing on US flights seem largely irrelevant if we can’t get there!! I’ve “lost” 2 US trips so far, was meant to be going for the Ryder Cup but can’t see us being accepted for that! And Orlando in December is looking more and more unlikely!
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