WQ82156 (e) Tabled on 24/02/2021

What percentage of COVID-19 PCR test results constitute a weak positive result and, in the event of a weak positive result, what percentage of patients are re-tested using different nucleic acid testing (NAT) technology, for example an antigen test?

Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services | Answered on 03/03/2021

Based on figures provided to Welsh Government by Public Health Wales for the 104,771 tests processed in its laboratories during February 2021, only 1.2% (1,263) gave a low positive result. Individuals usually have a low positive result because they are at the tail-end of infection.  To clarify, antigen tests are not nucleic acid tests and we do not re-test on a different platform.