A lateral flow test is a type of diagnostic used to confirm if (in this case) SARSCoV-2 (COVID-19) is present.

It’s a term used for the way in which samples flow into a marker or trigger to show if the sample is contaminated. Simply, a sample is extracted from a liquid into the single-use test unit. In this case, a nasopharyngeal swab. There are many other forms of lateral flow tests with the most common one being the urine pregnancy test..

In order for the test to be considered genuine by Public Health England, our tests must be carried out by a certified medical professional such as a nurse or doctor.

For the sake of good care and hygiene, we also insist the point of care setting is comfortable and clean.

When you buy a mobile test solution from us we include the relevant number of medical professionals and safety administrators for the size of the operation. We will complete a risk assessment ahead of confirming the booking so you can rest assured that the appropriate number of qualified staff are carrying out the testing.

This complete package means you do not need to provide any of your own staff. For larger operations, we will complete a plan together to ensure larger topics such as stewarding are covered.

We have access to rapid lateral flow test kits are manufactured by Edinburgh Genetics and Biotec Biomedical.

The accuracy of the tests range between manufactures slightly but as a minimum, the tests work to a 95% sensitivity and 99% specificity.

Test sensitivity indicates the ability of the test to correctly identify patients that have the disease. A test’s sensitivity is also known as the true positive rate. If a diagnostic test correctly identified 100% of all positive results, it would be as sensitive as possible.
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Test specificity indicates the ability of the test to correctly identify patients that do not have the disease. If a test correctly identifies all people without the disease as negative, it would be as specific as possible.

Antigens show when the virus is currently within your system.

Antibodies will show if you recently had the virus in your system. However, antibodies could present themselves for other reasons and therefore those tests are not considered overly accurate.

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is the most commonly used COVID-19 test.

It has the highest accuracy available but samples must be extracted and tested in a lab environment. Even at the most efficient, this process takes hours, not minutes. With that, it’s a slow and expensive option.

Our service is registered with UKAS through our medical partners, whilst our medical staff are registered with their relevant authorities and insured to perform their duties.

Our chosen manufacturers supply CE-IVD rapid immunoassay IVD medical devices that have been registered by the MHRA in the UK at a GMP, ISO 13485 and FDA registered manufacturing sites in the UK.

If you have tested positive for antigens you are contagious.

If you have caught COVID-19 but you do not know it yet because the virus is still incubating in your system, then you cannot pass the virus on via respiratory methods. However, you will be contagious as soon as the virus presents itself and this will naturally be before you are able to test for it.

If you are known to have been close to a positive person you must self-isolate in line with guidance but even if you have not, our recommendation is to continue operating with social distancing where possible and to test regularly if projects span a number of days.

When creating risk assessments for each mobile test site, we will establish a positive- scenario procedure. This will include a secure way of the positive person leaving the site as they will not be allowed to continue being on site.

Since areas are decontaminated between tests, social distancing remains in place and all contact staff wear PPE, there is a low risk of the positive person passing on the virus during their testing time. We also encourage pairing up crew so that replacements can step in should someone be instructed to self-isolate.

Positive persons will be advised to follow NHS guidance and have a PCR test.

We require 36 hours to book in remote testing. All staff are deployed locally to your area and all test kits are already in the UK, meaning delivery for 10,000’s of kits can take place overnight.

Before each person being tested arrives at the location, we ask them to fill in an online form which inputs their details into the testing database. This secure form asks questions which help build a risk profile against the person (including checking if they have COVID-19 symptoms or have visited high-risk areas recently). Each event is unique so we can ask additional questions subject to information production staff may need (e.g. checking if they have appropriate PPE).

The forms can be hosted on your website or branded and hidden behind a custom URL.

You cannot pass on the virus respiratorily until the antigens have been established in your system (4-10 days from contracting the virus). However, you can at any time pass the virus on via touch contamination and the moment the virus presents itself which could be anytime after the test was taken.

We recommend regular point of care testing to reduce this chance of happening.

Our Covid-19 Supervisors can assist with assessment of sites and workspaces and advise on safety measures to put in place before opening sites for work. We can provide full risk assessments and mitigations in line with the latest government rules and guidance. In Film and TV Production this planning should be writing by the LP/Producer or your H&S Consultant.

No, this is the responsibility of the production company/employer; in accordance with PPE at Work Regulation 1992 Reg 4.

See (HSE info)

This depends on the site and size of cohorts.

• Measuring and marking out for social distancing.
• Maintaining appropriate signage and checking it is in place each day.
• Ensuring hand sanitiser is in place and stocked for the full working day.
• Issuing appropriate PPE and advising on use; ensuring it is properly worn at appropriate times.
• Checking physical distancing measure are in place before crew arrive.
• Daily temperature checking on arrival and keeping records in line with GDPR.
• Brief cohorts on Covid-19 protocols on arrival and act as the point of contact for all enquires during
• the day.
• Monitor and implement protocols as per risk assessment; making regular checks.
• Monitoring crew/talent cohorts and checking access restrictions are maintained.
• Assist site manager/production manager /H&S consultant on pre shoot briefings or site tasks to
• implement specific Covid-19 controls.
• Liaising with H&S consultant if extra measures are needed.

No, this will be completed by a separate medical team. Covid-19 Supervisors can assist on smaller contracts.

Testgeeks can organise this element too.

It is normal for these to be separate roles as the disciplines, although overlapping, do involve different elements.

However, depending on the circumstances, we may allocate an experienced person to cover both roles if we feel it is appropriate. It is important Covid-19 measures are actively monitored.