Where Are The Figures For Covid Infection Rates Coming From?

[dave50]

When people are testing themselves at home with the lateral flow tests are they then submitting the results to the authorities, if so why? If you feel the need to isolate after the test then do it but why make the public paranoia worse by telling the whole world? There's no need, you are doing the right thing by isolating, that should be the end of it. The only figures that should matter and be made public are hospitalisations and deaths, end of. Also, I don't recall everyone running around like headless chickens when flu deaths were ruining in the tens of thousands.

[bobbinwales]

//When people are testing themselves at home with the lateral flow tests are they then submitting the results to the authorities, if so why//
Well schools are doing them quite rightly as its rife. The school will ask for the reason for absence. I suppose you could lie and say your child has broke his arm or something or even send them in anyway but why?

But I dont know the answer overall. I'm not sure who to notify if my LTF is positive.

[chelle7272]

If you have a positive lateral flow test you should report it and get it confirmed by doing a PCR test.

[chelle7272]

Well working people report it so they can have sick leave in order to self isolate, you need a PCR test for that.

Positive LFT tests are reported on the GOV UK website
https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

[bobbinwales]

Thanks chelle. I remember now. Am sure many who test posative on LTF dont report it /get a PCR after so the actual infections will be higher than those reported in the figures

[bobbinwales]

I heard someone say they had a positive test after family member got it but felt fine and went to work anyway

[chelle7272]

I'm sure that's true bob, I remember wondering if my LFT was positive, Would i report it as it my son who live with me at the moment, would need to self isolate and so miss work, he doesn't get sick pay and had only just returned from furlough, so I can absolutely understand why people don't and that it skews the figures

[bobbinwales]

I know its hyperthetical chelle but if your LFT was positive I'd just ask your son to do LFT and take it from there.

[bednobs]

this isn't news - it's your opinion on what should/should not happen. Perhaps you should stand for election then you would have a chance of making the policy. As it is you are limited to ranting on a website which probably a total of 50 people will read and/or reply, where you will get either "yes you're right" or no you're wrong" answers from people who think you are right or wrong.

[chelle7272]

Yes bob, but I would need to report to my employer as well or risk passing it to colleagues , thankfully I have not tested positive yet!

[bednobs]

for people who are confused, you need to follow the guidelines on the govt website:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/test-results/positive-test-result/

[New Judge]

This is something which puzzles me. Yesterday 50,000 people tested positive. It's never stated (well not that I can see) how many tests were taken. But let's be very generous and say one in two of those tested were positive. This means 100,000 people were tested. Who are they? Where are they? The only people I know who have undertaken tests are people who have returned from abroad. I have mine to take today as I returned yesterday. I'm only doing it because without it I would not have been allowed to return here (unless I arrived in Dover on a rubber boat). I stood far more chance of contracting Covid in Cheltenham than where I went, but there you are. Apart from that I don't know anybody who has been tested - ever - apart from two people who sadly died (not from Covid, though their death certificates mentioned it).

The next puzzle is why are they being tested? The virus is rife across the country (as I said it would be way back in March 2020 - respiratory viruses spread and they cannot be stopped except by the most draconian methods). The only people who need to be tested are those who are unwell enough to seek medical attention and only then if the symptoms they display are Covid-like so as to decide how they should be treated.

Of the 50k people testing positive yesterday, probably less than one in 50 of them will require hospital treatment. Why is this nonsense continuing? It doesn't matter how many people have the virus, who they are or where they are. What matters is how many of them require medical treatment. Those who want to reduce their risk of contracting it can stay away from other people. Others can behave normally.

[bobbinwales]

Why is this nonsense continuing.
You carry on with your head in the sand, a bit more nonsense wont make any difference

[bobbinwales]

example:
//The only people who need to be tested are those who are unwell enough to seek medical attention and only then if the symptoms they display are Covid-like so as to decide how they should be treated//

No, its so they know and dont soldier on and pass it on so keeping the problem increasing

[New Judge]

//No, its so they know and dont soldier on and pass it on so keeping the problem increasing//

Do you honestly believe that the third of a million or so people who tested positive in the last week are all sitting at home, self isolating? Do you think they've suddenly stopped going to work, stopped shopping, stopped going out? If you do you are suffering considerable delusions. The vast majority of them will "soldier on" (i.e. get on with their lives). Many of them cannot afford to do anything else. You mention that my head is in the sand. I don't know how you can tell from where yours must be.

[ToraToraTora]

"You mention that my head is in the sand. I don't know how you can tell from where yours must be. " - PMSL! rock on judge!

[Gromit]

Flu deaths (England and Wales)

2018 1,598
2019 1,223

Covid deaths (UK)

2020 102,554

The flu deaths do not include Scotland and NI, but the flu and covid figures are vastly different.

[ichkeria]

There is a more accurate survey which estimates the number of people who have the virus at any one time.

This is a new virus and no one knows for sure how it will develop.
Hence there is more alarm about it.

[bednobs]

NJ, i dont get why you are confused abut where people with positive tests are coming from Let's be generous and say that you have 200 people you know or come into contact with regularly and know well enough to know about their covid status, whether they had a test yesterday etc.
your friends/family/acquantances make up 0.0002 % of people in this country who could have had tests yesterday. I would posit that maybe the people being tested positive come into the 99.999% of people you dont know?

[THECORBYLOON]

"The only people who need to be tested are those who are unwell enough to seek medical attention and only then if the symptoms they display are Covid-like so as to decide how they should be treated."

What's wrong with being tested and showing positive prior to having the symptoms and reducing the number who might otherwise have been infected over the coming days?

[bobbinwales]

//Do you honestly believe that the third of a million or so people who tested positive in the last week are all sitting at home, self isolating?//
Well people reap what they sow.
Its going to be with us for a long time and restrictions will come and go and come again if people have decided to take that attitude and knowingly risk infecting others