UK abandons school Covid monitoring as testing devices divide public health scientists
Scientists split over use of lateral flow tests as some fear they could actually increase spread of the coronavirus
The UK government has decided to pause its plans to introduce daily lateral flow tests (LFTs) in schools for contacts of positive Covid-19 cases as an alternative to isolation. But it is continuing to roll out LFTs for regular asymptomatic testing in educational settings and the community. Concern is growing in the scientific community that the devices will lead to the virus spreading further as they were not designed for mass self-testing. However, others believe that they have a role to play if used appropriately.