Public express concerns over sensitivity of new LFT kits

Tuesday 12 July 2022

Islanders receiving at-home lateral flow testing kits have raised concerns about the sensitivity of the new swabs after the Government of Jersey switched suppliers.

Previously, islanders requesting lateral flow tests received kits developed by diagnostics company SureScreen.

But in recent weeks, members of the public have started receiving at-home test kits developed by an alternative company, Orient Gene.

A Government spokesperson told Express that the new LFT kits from Orient Gene are authorised by Public Health England and were provided by the Department of Health and Social Care. 

The spokesperson said: “They are almost 99% accurate. However, some individuals have pointed out that the swabs are more difficult to use and are more intrusive, and have told us that they preferred the previous version of LFTs (‘SureScreen’).” 

Pictured: New LFT kits being distributed by the Government are supplied by diagnostics company Orient Gene. 

One individual told Express that the new Orient Gene tests were “repeatedly” showing negative for covid-19, despite her having a positive PCR test. 

“We were running low on LFTs and ordered the new batch today,” she said. “The new ones repeatedly show negative for covid, although the old-style cassettes show positive.  

“My family are reporting the same. We have a couple of old tests still and have verified.” 

The woman said she followed the protocols meticulously as per the instructions, and took the tests 20 seconds apart. 

Pictured: One islander compared a newer Orient Gene LFT test (left, negative result), with the SureScreen LFT test (right, positive result).

“There is possibly the barest hint of a line on the new test, but you would really have to look hard for it. 

“I think we’re only seeing it because we’re closely examining and comparing.” 

Another member of the public took to social media to raise concerns, saying the new tests looked "dodgy". 

They also highlighted that the Orient Gene kits included a warning notice stating: “This product is intended for medical professional use only and not for at-home use.”

Pictured: The Orient Gene kits include a warning stating the product is not intended for at-home use. 

The Government of Jersey said: “If any islanders have the new LFT type but would prefer the older (SureScreen) type, please bring your Orient Gene LFTs to the drive-through and we will swap them for SureScreen LFTs.

“Islanders are reminded that if they have COVID-19 symptoms, isolate and book a PCR test.” 

Details of the different procedures for both SureScreen and Gene Orient tests are available on the UK Government website.