Dr Hilary Jones has warned that lateral flow tests can only be 40% reliable – but insisted that they are “better than nothing”.
It comes after Plan B and Covid passes were approved by MPs, despite Boris Johnsonbeing hit with a massive Tory rebellion.
The ITV doctor had appeared on Good Morning Britain to speak about testing for Covid just a week ahead of Christmas.
Host Adil Ray had pointed out: “The problem that I’ve got with the lateral flow tests is that you’ve got to be motivated, haven’t you, to deliver a negative test. The Christmas parties coming up, clubs are open… I’m not saying lots of people but I think some people might waive that and say, ‘Oh, it’s negative! I’m not going to bother testing.'”
Dr Hilary replied: “You’ve got to do the test properly and even then, they’re not 100% reliable either. They’re better than nothing. A lot better than nothing.”
“But how reliable? Is there a percent?” Adil asked.
Dr Hilary continued to explain: “About 40%. Unless you’re infectious and with symptoms, in that case it goes up to about 70%. Something about that number. So they’re certainly worth doing and if it’s positive then you need to go on and do a PCR test and self-isolate.”
