A MHK will be raising the issue of false negative PCR tests in next week’s Tynwald sitting.

Jason Moorhouse will be asking Tynwald: ’How many people received in the last 30 days a negative result from a PCR test which was booked as a consequence of a positive LFT result?’

Mr Moorhouse said that recently two constituents have raised concerns about possible issues with regard to PCR results.

Earlier this week, the Isle of Man Examiner reported one of these cases.

Castletown resident Jason Scales and his partner conducted Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) upon their return from the UK.

Mr Scales returned a negative result while his partner returned a positive one.

She then received an official negative PCR test result - despite several further positive Lateral Flow Test (LFT) results and a positive test from an independent lab.

Mr Moorhouse, who represents for Arbory, Castletown and Malew, said: ’This question will hopefully give the [Department for Health and Social Care] Minister the opportunity to provide some clarity about this situation.

’I was a member of DHSC when the Covid testing facility was installed at Noble’s.

’One of the key initial processes, before the facility could open, was the assessment of comparable sample results.

’That was achieved by splitting each sample so it could be tested here and at another test centre, to ensure our facility was working with 100% accuracy.

’That is a core requirement of such a service.’

He added: ’On Tuesday, I will be asking the minister for an update, about how frequently this type of comparable data is now collected and analysed.

’I would assume, that this still takes place on a regular basis and those results should provide the reassurance that is required.

’As the testing centre’s role is expanded to enable the variant to be identified, we need to ensure the performance of the core service is still exemplary.

urgency

’If this reassurance is not provided and the anecdotal suggests there could be issues, there will be the need to resolve this issues as a matter of urgency.

The Courier asked Manx Care - which runs health services on a day-to-day basis - for a response regarding the allegations made by Mr Scales.

It replied: ’Covid testing performed on the Isle of Man at the pathology lab at Noble’s Hospital is of the highest clinical standards.

’The lab follows the UK Government Health Security Agency’s recommended methodology, supported by the World Health Organisation).

’All tests are verified using internal and external quality controls from the National External Quality Assurance Scheme (NEQAS) and the LGC (a leading global life science company) and show 100% concordance with control samples.

’Every test is run with positive and negative controls. This provides the team with absolute assurance that its testing methodology and quality are validated in line with international standards.’

It said that it could not discuss individual cases and was not in a position to comment on results produced by private labs as it is not aware of the controls or techniques in place there.

Since the start of the pandemic, the lab based at Noble’s Hospital, has performed about 140,000 PCR tests. While PCR tests are close to 100% accurate, they are not completely infallible.

Manx Care also said: ’In the Isle of Man, lateral flow devices are returning a positive predictive rate of about 90% (where people test positive for Covid-19 on a lateral flow device and subsequently return a positive PCR test too).

rare

’Since PCR tests may not be 100% sensitive, it means there will inevitably be rare occasions when an LFD shows positive and a PCR shows negative.

’The guidance is clear. For people who display symptoms of Covid-19, or any other respiratory illness, it is advised that they stay at home and keep away from other people until they no longer have any symptoms.’