The United Kingdom government plans to implement mass scale population testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection using Lateral Flow Devices , yet the devices’ sensitivity is unknown.
LFDs are increasingly used to increase testing capacity and screen asymptomatic populations for SARS-CoV-2 infection in mass surveillance programs, yet there are few data indicating the performance of these devices.
Using reverse transcription PCR tests, the authors estimated the true COVID-19 prevalence rate and compared it to LFD test results.
Independent research suggests that both the UK and South African variants can be reliably detected, but further studies are needed to determine whether the LFDs can detect infections at the same viral loads as with the SARS-CoV-2 strain examined in the current research.
According to the authors, “When used regularly, LFDs can be a highly effective tool in reducing overall community burden.
Funding: The PCR testing in this manuscript is funded by the UK Department for Health and Social Care as part of pillar 2 testing, in an award made directly to the University of Birmingham.