Martin Lewis rages at Jacob Rees-Mogg over breaking the rules
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England’s coronavirus self-isolation period has been reduced to a minimum of five full days. Effective from today, the Government has replaced the existing seven-day rules in a bid to combat increasing staff shortages across the economy. With new data from the UK Health Security Agency at the heart of the decision, many Brits have backed the updated guidance – but what does it really mean for rising Covid cases?
What are the latest self-isolation rules?
The Government’s latest decision to relax self-isolation rules has divided Brits as concerns rise over increasing case numbers.
From today, those who test positive for coronavirus will be allowed to leave isolation on the sixth day, following two negative lateral flow tests.
Testing must be done no earlier than day five in order to qualify for early release from the Covid quarantine period.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, BBC Breakfast GP, Dr Rachel Ward said: “The Health Security Agency has released information that shows that after five days of Covid infection, two-thirds of cases are no longer infectious.
“By asking people to have two negative lateral flow tests on day five and six before leaving isolation, the idea is to identify the most infectious people.”
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What is the scientific evidence behind the decision?
Latest Government coronavirus figures show 84,429 more people tested positive for the virus today – Monday, January 17.
Despite consistently high case numbers, cases are down by more than 41 percent on average, compared to last week.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, World-leading immunologist and founding scientist of Cignpost Diagnostics, Professor Denis Kinane said: “Data from the UK Health Security Agency has demonstrated that two in three people are no longer infectious after five full days of isolation.
“But according to Cignpost’s own data, there is a possibility that 33 percent of people may still be positive on day five, meaning the number of people able to finish self-isolation at this point will be massively reduced by the requirement to return two negative lateral flow test results on successive days.”
While Professor Kinane notes not everyone will benefit from the reduced isolation period, he added: “This change to the self-isolation guidance decision will help mitigate the pressures on workforces that we have seen over the past month.”
Are two tests enough to limit transmission after a five-day isolation period?
According to Government figures, more than nine and a half million tests have been done in the past seven days alone, forcing many unsuspecting workers into self-isolation.
While testing efforts have helped to reduce transmission of Omicron and other variants of coronavirus, there are concerns over the availability and reliability of lateral flow tests.
Rising cases and nationwide home testing shortages have led some medical professionals to query the Government’s latest decision.
Dr Rachel Ward said: “I believe this step may have been taken a little early while considering the current high numbers of infections and pressures on the NHS.
“There is no way of ensuring that the lateral flow tests on day five and six are done to the same effective standard.”
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How reliable are lateral flow tests?
Despite Health Secretary Sajid Javid’s unwavering faith in the latest guidance, he has made it clear Brits must follow testing guidelines properly in order for this new change to be effective.
Mr Javid announced: “These two tests are critical to these balanced and proportionate plans, and I’d urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we have built up in tests so we can restore the freedoms to this country while we’re keeping everyone safe”.
Lateral flow tests have a hair-trigger, meaning they generally return a positive result when viral load is at its highest.
Therefore, anyone returning two negative lateral flow tests on successive days – as per the Government’s latest policy, should be able to resume normal activities, says Professor Kinane.
He added: “As the pandemic has shown, the virus is constantly evolving and there is a possibility that even under the current five-day isolation policy, some infectious cases will be missed.
“Scientific knowledge in Omicron’s transmissibility is still developing and the false-negative rate for lateral flow tests is not insignificant, compounded by the variances in quality due to self-swabbing and testing.”
While lateral flow tests are the Government’s preferred method of testing amid the huge cost and demand for PCR testing, Professor Kinane says they should not be overlooked as “the gold standard in COVID-19 testing.”
Only time will tell how effective the new isolation period will be, though Dr Ward remains of the view the change could do more harm than good in reducing the immense pressure on the NHS.
She explained: “The disruption that isolation causes is significant on the education of children, staffing in all sectors, and the economy.
“But I feel a more gradual move towards a reduced isolation period would have been the right thing to do.”
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