As of Monday, August 1, free lateral flow tests will not be provided in Wales for people with symptoms of Covid. The scheme had previously been extended until the end of July because of rising Covid cases. The decision is part of the winding down of state support for managing and testing Covid in Wales.
For many, the use of lateral flow tests was a key safety precaution when visiting vulnerable relatives or friends. However despite the withdrawal of free tests for the general public with symptoms, there remains some scope for free tests.
It comes after Wales' rate peaked according to data released last week, following a month of worrying rises. Although the declining rate shows the current wave has peaked, the prevalence of the virus still remains high.
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Despite the changes, tests will continue to be provided for certain groups:
- LFD (lateral flow device) and PCR testing for those eligible for Covid-19 treatments.
- LFD testing for people visiting those eligible for Covid-19 treatments.
- LFD testing for people visiting care homes.
- PCR testing for Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses for symptomatic care home residents and prisoners.
- PCR and LFD testing in accordance with the patient testing framework and clinical judgement.
- LFD testing for symptomatic health and social care staff.
- LFD tests for regular asymptomatic testing for health and social care staff (this will be reviewed at lower prevalence).
- Extension of the Covid-19 statutory sick pay enhancement scheme until August 31 to support social care staff to stay away from work due to testing positive.
Speaking when announcing the scaling back of covid support health minister Eluned Morgan said the approach Welsh Government continues to adopt is that Covid-19 is "not over" but added that the transition of the disease from pandemic to endemic status "needs to be determined by the public health conditions at the time".
The latest Office for National Statistics Covid-19 infection survey for the week ending July 20 estimated that 5.14% (one in 19) of the community population in Wales had coronavirus, down from 6.03% (one in 17) the previous week. Read more about the figures here. After an increase in cases of BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants during June the Welsh Government extended access to free lateral flow tests for members of the public with symptoms of coronavirus until July 31. The expectation was for the wave to reach its peak before the end of July.
Ms Morgan said that advice from the Technical Advisory Cell (TAC) dated July 22 reported NHS pressures peaked in mid-July and appear to have decreased since. There were around 18 hospital admissions for Covid-19 a day as of July 26 following a peak of 28 admissions per day two weeks before. Overall deaths remain at lower levels compared to previous waves.
The health minister added: "Our plan under Covid-stable recognised that we still expect to encounter additional waves of infection and new variants to emerge that may become dominant. These waves are not expected to put unsustainable pressure on the health and social care system and vaccines and other pharmaceutical interventions will remain effective in preventing serious illness.
"In view of the latest evidence, including decreasing prevalence, from August 1 we will pause provision of free lateral flow tests to members of the public with symptoms of Covid-19. This is consistent with our long-term Covid-19 transition from pandemic to endemic for Wales published in March. It also ensures we safeguard resources for potential future waves during autumn/winter that may, alongside colder weather and other respiratory viruses, provide additional challenges and risks."
People with coronavirus are also being advised to to stay at home when they have symptoms. People are advised to wash their hands regularly and are encouraged to wear face coverings in crowded places and health and care settings.
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