How effective are lateral flow tests compared to PCR tests:

Lateral flow tests deployed with the onset of symptons are 95% effective at detecting Covid-19.

The study by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, University of Oxford, Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, and the Medical University of Graz, has found that lateral flow tests detect the Covid - 19 are as good as laboratory-based PCR tests. Provided the Lateral flow tests are deployed at the onset of infection and soon after symptoms start.

The Study:

Over 2,500 people with mild to moderate symptoms were assessed by GPs in the district of Liezen (population 79,652), Austria, between October 22 and November 30, 2020 and tested for viral antigents using lateral flow tests. While they were also tested using PCR tests.

The lateral flow tests detected more than 95 per cent of the cases found by the highly accurate PCR test. While correctly recognising 89 per cent of cases as negative.

The large at scale study lateral flow and PCR testing on the same group of people on a large scale.

The variables typical of the variation settings. E.g. Using five different brands of Lateral flow test kits, three laboratories, and professional swabbing offered at 20 GP practices.