Saturday April 10, 2021, 9:29 AM
Under the plans, post-arrival tests must be the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) type which are thought to be more accurate, but are more expensive.
The PCR tests differ from Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) which are widely being used in schools around the country.
So what are the differences between them?
PCR tests require lab analysis meaning they take longer to process. Credit: PA
What is the difference between how the tests work?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are often seen as the gold standard test for identifying clinical cases of infection because it requires laboratory analysis.
The PCR is a diagnostic test that detects the virus’s RNA (genetic material) in a sample taken from a nose and throat swab.
Secondary school pupils could be sent home testing kits before they return to the classroom under new plans being drawn up by the Government.
Students may have to test themselves for coronavirus using lateral flow tests as ministers at the Department for Education prepare detailed plans for a phased return to the classroom, The Telegraph reports.
It comes a month after questions were raised about the reliability of the tests following an article in the British Medical Journal which claimed the tests were not sensitive enough and not good at detecting the virus in people without symptoms.
Last year the Government asked schools to prepare their buildings for on-site mass testing but headteachers and union members were quick to call the proposals inoperable .
Covid-19: Lateral flow tests miss over half of cases, Liverpool pilot data show bmj.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bmj.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Teesside doctor tells of covid wards and patient numbers on slow decline
For the first time since the pandemic began Richard Cree has received a covid-19 test
Latest Teesside headlines straight to your inboxInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
An intensive care doctor is continuing to document what life behind the scenes at a Teesside hospital is really like.
Richard Cree has now reported that the total number of covid patients at the Middlesbrough hospital continues to slowly decline .