Continual testing is critical to avoid a virus ‘pole-vault’16 May 2021 17:38
Question re How Long will testing be needed?
Taken from Novacyt Website -
A multi-layered approach comprising vaccines, testing, lockdowns where necessary and medication will be essential for the foreseeable future in combatting COVID-19 – described as an “extraordinarily transmissible virus,” during the NovaTalk webinar on May 7th.
"Prof Black said: “We are a long way off normal. We must learn to co-exist with this virus and understand that even when we’re vaccinated, we can still have a level of transmission.”
Crucial testing
“Testing is absolutely crucial,” she continued. “We will never see a world where we have less testing. Testing enables us to see where we are in a pandemic. We need more testing – cleverer ways of testing – cheaper tests, that can be delivered closer to people and are easier to administer. We must continue to screen for the virus, be able to detect new variants, and test for antibodies to determine vaccine efficacy. Unless we act as a global community, we’re not going to get out of this.”
Dr Feigl-Ding, speaking from the US, said: “We’re on fast-shifting sands, in terms of the pandemic. Where we saw cases dropping, we’re seeing them increasing again – even in places that have been heavily vaccinated. We’re in turbulent times.”