Skip to main content

Cookies on UKHSA data dashboard

We use some essential cookies to make this service work.

We'd like to set additional cookies so we can remember your settings, understand how people use the service and make improvements.

View cookies
UKHSA data dashboard

BetaThis is a new service - your feedback will help us to improve it.

Information
COVID-19 positivity metrics not updated

Due to a data processing issue, COVID-19 positivity metrics have not been updated this week, and will be updated in upcoming refreshes.

BackEntry title:

COVID-19 headline tests 7 day change

Last updated on Wednesday, 20 December 2023 at 04:15pm

Summary

Topic
COVID-19
Category
headline
API name
COVID-19_headline_tests_7DayChange

Rationale

COVID-19 testing is required to identify cases of COVID-19

Definition

This metric shows the difference in the count of new positive and negative COVID-19 test results taken in the last 7 days compared to the previous 7 days.

Data is shown by the date that the test was taken (specimen date).

Methodology

The testing data reporting on the dashboard is for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests only. Data from rapid lateral flow (LFD) tests are not included. Note that cases data includes results from both PCR and LFD tests. Data for the last 5 days by specimen date are considered incomplete as it takes time to get test results and record them on relevant lab systems.

The change in reported tests taken is calculated as the difference between the total of the daily tests counts in the 7 days up to and including the most recent date with "complete" data (i.e. 5 days before the latest reported date) and the total of the daily tests counts in the previous 7 days.

Caveats

Results from PCR tests only - LFD results are not included

Back to top