Management Information Sheet

Temporary suspension of confirmatory PCR lifted from 31 March 2021

As you already know, confirmatory PCR tests have always been required to confirm a positive home Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test. However, you may recall that a temporary suspension was put in place on 27 January 2021, meaning for those positive LFD tests, carried out at Asymptomatic Test Sites (ATS) in secondary schools, specialist settings and colleges, a confirmatory PCR test was not required. Please note, the temporary suspension has been lifted and from 31st March 2021 all positive results using an LFD, must be confirmed by a PCR test, irrespective of where the LFD has been completed. While waiting for the results of the confirmatory PCR test, the normal isolation guidance still applies from the positive LFD result.

LFD test kit log: Change of retention period

All settings keeping a coronavirus (COVID-19) LFD test kit log, should not keep the data in the log for longer than 12 months from the date on which it is collected. Please note that the Department of Health and Social Care may request data from the test kit log at any time within the 12 month period.

Further information can be found in the terms and conditions for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing that can be found in the following locations;

• The primary schools document sharing platform - see para 4.7.2 “T&C’s Primary Schools Agreement Mass Testing Roll-Out” located on the landing page
• The schools and colleges document sharing platform – see para 3.5.29 of “RP43-3 Schools and Colleges mass testing terms and conditions” located on the landing page

To further support you our document home testing recording and reporting explains the difference between the Test Kit Log and COVID-19 Test register