Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

Tried to order some lateral flow tests this morning, got all the way through to the final "Submit" stage but it said there was a problem.

10 minutes later and it says all delivery slots are gone.

Will get a code and pick some up at a local pharmacy.

They issued a statement a while ago. Apparently no shortage of tests, its more that they have reached their cap of delivery capabilities. Shippped 220k test kits yesterday. I assume they're asking Royal Mail very nicely for a solid.

Who would have thought that asking people to take daily LFD tests if they have been in close contact with a positive case and also for people to test before social contacts would have led to a surge in demand? Nobody could have predicted that.

There's 5 of us, so one pack at a time is a right PITA. School, chemists and ordering when we can.

If they have plenty of the things, perhaps they should consider allowing more than one pack in each delivery for families.

I'm almost certain I had Omicron over the past weekend (5/5 symptoms) but had 4 negative lateral flow tests at the time, and subsequent daily tests. I didn't bother with a PCR test because I didn't have the typical (previous varient) symptoms. I guess the point of this csb, is that I'm skeptical of the home testing kit's ability to detect the new varient(s).

Edit: I'm not saying don't bother with home testing

Go get a PCR test now then.

I think fairly early on it was established that LFDs work fine for Omicron. It was one of the first things people worried about.

@¡apesta!

My wife had aches, chills and exhaustion over 48 hours the weekend before last. Negative on 3 lateral flows and a PCR, so assume it was something elese.

they wholeheartedly believe this is not a public health issue, and it is being used by the government / big business to control us, and by them doing the test they’re complicit in our sleepwalk into a fascist totalitarian state.

I’ve only just cottoned on to this conspiracy theory. Where is it being peddled? ‘Online’ obviously, but are any major media brands pushing this?

Sources at the UK Health Security Agency say they have found no evidence that lateral flow tests – the most common rapid test available – will not detect the variant.

Scientists at Goethe University’s Institute of Medical Virology, in Germany, have suggested that lateral flow tests produced by three major companies successfully detected Omicron in samples.

They include ACON’s Flowflex test, which is the main provider used for nose-only tests supplied by NHS Test and Trace.

Taken from a Metro article, linked to from UCL (UCL were the source for the Metro)

UKHSA are doing a proper investigation, but its not complete yet.

Interestingly, apparently one of the Omicron variants (as in one of the variants that has already mutated from Omicron) has potential to evade some PCR tests but it sounds like its not a big deal to fix.

Yeah, going this afternoon.

Yeah, in hindsight my post could come off as idiotic anecdata

I think you miss remeber, unless something has evolved?

My knowledge was that, one of the Omicron variants cannot be identified as omicron from a PCR, but does show as policies for covid. Thus it needs further analysis to see how many cases are omicron not just ocr numbers.

Yeah, that sounds familiar. Thanks for the reassurance. I'll be getting a PCR this afternoon.

LFDs check that you're infectious (to others). This is a considerable step up above "infected".

Get a PCR test to confirm, you can get them sent to you by post if you don't want to go out to a walk/drive in test centre.

I assume they're asking Royal Mail very nicely for a solid.

Given the government have said they'll pay all the settlements for the post master scandal as the post office can't afford to,I think Royal Mail will be fairly obliging

I think you miss remeber, unless something has evolved?

You are quite correct. Timely reminder to check shit you hear before repeating.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/07/scientists-find-stealth-version-of-omicron-not-identifiable-with-pcr-test-covid-variant

Glad to hear its not so bad. Might be worth an edit, so not to speak miss information.

James Delingpole on Twitter is a good jumping off point.. I'm not sure I'd recommend dipping your toes into that scene.

They’d want to be but this is their busiest time of the year and they have the same problems as everyone else regarding staff shortages due to increased infection rates.

What you are looking for is Julie Hartley Brewer, James Dellinpole and Toby Young, on twitter, read the comments on their posts and it will lead you in the right directions to getting a tin foil hat

Not listened but there was a Joe Rogan episode this week that a lot of deniers are raving about, apparently it is a Dr who exposes all the covid truths

Snap!

Delingpole really is a card.

Dr who exposes all the covid truths

Wow - conspiracy runs deep.

Thanks for those suggestions. This is going to be fun.