Multiplex lateral flow test sensitivity and specificity in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients in a UK emergency department.

Background: Rapid identification of individuals with acute respiratory infections is crucial for preventing nosocomial infections. For rapid diagnosis, especially in EDs, lateral flow devices (LFDs) are a convenient, inexpensive option with a rapid turnaround. Several 'multiplex' LFDs (M-LFDs) now exist, testing for multiple pathogens from a single swab sample.

Effectiveness and user experience of nose and throat swabbing techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection: results from the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme.

Background: The UK's National Health Service Test and Trace (NHSTT) program aimed to provide the most effective and accessible SARS-CoV-2 testing approach possible. Early user feedback indicated that there were accessibility issues associated with throat swabbing. We report the results of service evaluations performed by NHSTT to assess the effectiveness and user acceptance of swabbing approaches, as well as qualitative findings of user experiences from research reports, surveys, and incident reports.

Characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in healthcare workers within the United Kingdom: Risk factors for infection during four successive waves.

Background: Healthcare workers were at a high risk of infection early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It is uncertain to what extent occupational, household and community factors contributed, and how this changed over time. We aimed to characterise the risk factors for infection over four successive waves of the pandemic in a large, UK healthcare worker cohort (SIREN).