Majority of people with Covid symptoms don’t get tested, says Sheffield health chief

Only a quarter of people with coronavirus symptoms get tested, says Sheffield’s health chief.
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Director of Public Health Greg Fell has once again rejected the idea of mass testing, saying it’s better to focus resources on people with symptoms, but he gave a cautious welcome to testing in schools.

He said: “Evidence from the Liverpool mass testing pilot showed it had no impact on overall infection rates in the city, and potentially widened inequalities as people who can least afford to self isolate did not come forward for asymptomatic testing.

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“We don’t have the capacity to do what has been done in Liverpool. They had 2,000 troops on the streets, we don’t have those resources.”

Sheffield's latest Covid 19 testing centre on Shipton Street Car Park in Upperthorpe. Picture Scott MerryleesSheffield's latest Covid 19 testing centre on Shipton Street Car Park in Upperthorpe. Picture Scott Merrylees
Sheffield's latest Covid 19 testing centre on Shipton Street Car Park in Upperthorpe. Picture Scott Merrylees

Mr Fell also said there was “no coherent national testing strategy”.

Testing is not an end in itself – it is only effective where isolation is fully adhered to after a positive result, effective contact tracing takes place quickly and a negative result doesn’t increase complacency and risky behaviour.

“We know that infectiousness is linked to symptom severity and most infection comes from people who are symptomatic.

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“However it is estimated that only around 25 per cent of those with symptoms get a test. We know that 70 to 80 per cent of people with Covid have symptoms.

“It’s clear the best way to reduce transmission is to focus on symptomatic community transmission.”

Mr Fell said there had been a significant change with a Government announcement about mass testing in schools.

“I think we all need to take some time to read exactly what is being proposed by Government for testing of both pupils and staff within schools and work out who is going to be resourcing the implementation of it.

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“It has some merit, there’s no doubt about that, but the implementation details are not clear. Schools are doing an amazing job around contact tracing and managing risk so it’s unfair just to lump this onto schools.

“We need to work out how we can best support schools but given that announcement was made on Tuesday, we need to take some time to think through and really work carefully.”

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.