The small-scale trial of Direct LAMP saliva testing which aimed to combat the coronavirus pandemic has ended in Salford.
The accuracy of the test has been called into question in recent days.
Salford is now one of 93 areas that have signed up to roll out locally-led testing. Thousands of lateral flow tests are expected to be made available to asymptomatic people in Salford.
Lateral flow antigen tests are a new kind of technology that can be used to test a high proportion of asymptomatic people, better enabling local authorities to identify and isolate more people who are infectious and at high likelihood of spreading the virus.
City Mayor Paul Dennett commented on the ending of Direct LAMP saliva testing and the prospect of Lateral Flow testing.
Mr. Dennett said: “Unfortunately, timing wasn’t with us for extending this pilot as testing technologies and rates of COVID-19 continued to move after the original discussions with the Department for Health and Social Care. We are now working to bring Lateral Flow testing to the city and city-region in order to provide testing in our communities.”
Dennett also commented on the technology attempting to combat COVID-19.
He added: “We accept that testing technology that is more mobile with quick results, used alongside PCR testing technology will be better suited to use in a community setting, providing the potential for regular, repeat testing of asymptomatic individuals.”
Dennett also said lateral flow testing could prove to be very influential for the whole of Greater Manchester.
He added: “We remain committed to increasing COVID-19 testing in the city to contain the virus so we can resume the activities our communities hold dear.
“As part of this commitment we hope that Greater Manchester, as a whole, will be rolling out Lateral Flow testing to the public in line with the findings and learning from Liverpool’s recent experiences.”
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