Festive COVID alert: Scientists warn of risks with outdated tests
As the UK faces a surge in COVID-19 cases ahead of the festive season, concerns arise over the reliability of outdated lateral flow tests. Experts warn of compromised accuracy due to buffer liquid evaporation, urging individuals to check test expiration dates.
As the UK faces a surge in COVID-19 cases ahead of the festive season, concerns arise over the reliability of outdated lateral flow tests. Experts warn of compromised accuracy due to buffer liquid evaporation, urging individuals to check test expiration dates.
As the festive season approaches, the spectre of rising COVID-19 cases in the UK looms large, prompting a critical call from scientists to scrutinise the reliability of your COVID tests.
With concerns over the use of outdated lateral flow tests, experts are cautioning Brits to be vigilant, as these tests may compromise accuracy due to the evaporation of buffer liquid over time.
The Risk of Out-of-Date Tests
As COVID cases surge in the UK, the reliance on accurate testing becomes paramount. Scientists, including Professor Lawrence Young from Warwick University, underscore the crucial need to assess the validity of lateral flow tests, particularly those obtained before April 2022. The concern is that these tests, now nearing expiration, may yield less reliable results due to the degradation of essential components.
CONTINUE READING...
Enjoy unlimited access now.
To get full access to this article,
simply become a member of PUBLIC SQUARE now.
By doing so, you will be supporting
our independent journalism.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
£3/month ∙ £5/month ∙ £7/month
You can cancel anytime.
BECOME A MEMBER
Already a member? Sign in here!
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:
✅ Read exclusive member-only articles
✅ Read our daily review of the UK front pages
✅ Receive every new article by email
✅ Access all our articles
✅ Get Special Discounts with our partners
✅ Join the conversation: Comment our articles
✅ Access our archives
✅ More importantly: Support independent journalism and keep the magazine going
Read more
— Your daily roundup of the front pages of the main newspapers and magazines today in the UK... and beyond.
— Polling accuracy in the U.S. presidential election faced criticism, despite improved performance over 2020. Small errors in a tight race amplified perceived inaccuracies, but swing state polls generally proved reliable, reflecting a close contest, Professor John Curtice explains.
— In an unusual tribute to U.S. Confederate exiles and their pro-slavery legacy, a small Brazilian town had hosted a ‘Confederate Festival’ for decades, blending Southern traditions with Confederate symbols and local culture — until backlash spurred its rebranding for 2025.
— K-pop has energised South Korea’s protests against President Yoon, with fans leading rallies using music, light sticks, and camaraderie. This modern activism builds on Korea's rich protest music history.
|
|
