The government has made a new announcement this week about when people in England should take rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests. 

Previously, the advice has been to take LFD tests regularly twice a week. But the new advice is that people in England should be taking a LFD test on days when they are more likely to catch or spread COVID-19. For example:

  • when they will be in a high risk situation that day, such as mixing with other people in crowded indoor spaces where there is limited fresh air
  • before they visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness, if they were to get COVID-19 

Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:

“Testing continues to be a key element of Devon’s local outbreak response.

“Around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not have symptoms, but may still be infectious and able to give the virus to others.

“Rapid lateral flow tests help identify people with the virus, so that they can self-isolate and arrange a confirmatory PCR test.”

Research shows LFD tests are a reliable test for COVID-19. They give a quick result and do not need to be sent to a lab.

Even if you’re vaccinated, you could still catch the virus or pass it on. Doing LFD tests regularly helps to protect yourself and others.

LFD tests are available from Devon’s Community Testing Service at a range of locations across Devon, your local pharmacy or they can be ordered online for home delivery.

If you test positive for COVID-19 using an LFD test, you should self-isolate immediately and request a follow-up PCR test.