How accurate are coronavirus tests? - BBC Newsnight

Published: 06 August 2020
on channel: BBC Newsnight
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Testing is the way many believe we will get to grips with Covid-19 and the government is making big decisions based on the data they produce. But how accurate are the tests? Subscribe to our channel here: https://goo.gl/31Q53F

Testing for coronavirus is critical to our understanding of how widely the virus has spread and the data informs decisions on whether to tighten or ease lockdown measures. But are the tests for coronavirus fit for purpose?

Concerns have been raised about the tests’ accuracy. Some clinicians are worried that the tests are over-sensitive and could be picking up on the presence of virus fragments which are old or not actually infectious.

Health Correspondent Deb Cohen reports.

Kirsty Wark is joined by the World Health Organization’s special Covid-19 envoy Dr David Nabarro and ICU Consultant Dr Ron Daniels.

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