Health officials have had their say on why some lateral flow test kits include throat swabs and others don’t.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed it is distributing a “mixture of test kits” at the moment, both of which are equally as effective at detecting Covid-19.
It says there is no difference between the test kits in detecting Omicron and Delta variants.
It's understood the distribution of lateral flow test kits with throat swabs is based on supply.
Amid reports that a throat swab is the best way to catch a positive Omicron case, the UKHSA says there is "no indication" the tests differ in their ability to detect both variants.
It says all lateral flow devices used by NHS Test and Trace have gone through “rigorous validation”.
It stressed the importance of using lateral flow tests after the Government scrapped confirmatory PCR tests.
Professor Steven Riley of the UKHSA said: “Currently the majority of our data is collected from symptomatic PCR testing results, without an LFD test taken prior to the PCR test.
"We expect some changes to data streams as a result of fewer people taking PCR tests following positive LFD test results and will be monitoring this closely on the dashboard in the weeks ahead.
“LFD test results are vital to public health surveillance and inform our response to the pandemic. We urge everyone registers their LFD test results within 24 hours of testing. A full breakdown of the data by category for England is published each day on the dashboard.”
It comes as Plan B restrictions are set to be eased next week as the Government continues to make changes to Covid measures in England.
The rules, which include wearing face mask inside and working from home, could be updated on January 26 as infections are falling across the country.
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