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21 November 2024: COVID-19 positivity metrics not updated

A technical issue has prevented UKHSA from updating COVID-19 positivity. Work is underway to resolve the issue and resume reporting as soon as possible. The data presented was last updated on 7 November 2024.

BackEntry title:

COVID-19 headline tests 7 day total

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

Summary

Topic
COVID-19
Category
headline
API name
COVID-19_headline_tests_7DayTotal

Rationale

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

Definition

This metric shows a count of new positive and negative COVID-19 virus test results in the last 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 count of reported tests taken in the last 7 days is the total of the daily number of tests taken in the 7 days up to and including the most recent date with "complete" data (i.e. 5 days before the latest reported date)

Caveats

Results from PCR tests only - LFD results are not included

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