FOI Ref: FOI/2022/3728
You asked
Please kindly provide details on the cross-reactivity data available for the Lateral Flow Tests used in the UK?
Please provide the information for the main variants (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron) with in particular data on potential cross-reactivity to other coronaviruses.
We said
Thank you for your request.
The Office for National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS) is a household survey that estimates the number of people testing positive for infection and for antibodies in the UK. Our statistics refer to the number of current COVID-19 infections within the population living in private residential households. We exclude those in hospitals, care homes and/or other communal establishments. In communal establishments, rates of COVID-19 infection are likely to be different.
The Office for National Statistics does not hold analysis on cross-reactivity data and lateral flow tests. In the Covid Infection Survey (CIS), real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are used to test for the presence of SARS-CoV-02, the virus that causes coronavirus (COVID-19). You can read more about the methodology of the survey in our COVID-19 Infection Survey: methods and further information article.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA, previously Public Health England) are responsible for NHS Test and Trace and may be better placed to respond to your query. They can be contacted at informationrights@ukhsa.gov.uk.
Further information and an overview of data about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other sources can be found in our Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest insights tool.