Cycle threshold values of all positive PCR tests up to the latest date for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland
Dear Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland,
I have a few questions related to using the PCR test to diagnose Covid-19:
1) Can you tell me the distribution of cycle thresholds used to provide a positive PCR test? In other words, what percentage of positive tests came at what cycle threshold value?
2) Also specifically what percentage of the total positives tests were carried out at a CT value between 30-45?
3) Have you undertaken any viral culture to cross reference with cycle threshold values? If so, what are the results? Additionally, if you have any information about the proportion of culturable samples by cycle threshold can you please provide those.
4) Given the WHO advice on 13 January here https://www.who.int/news/item/20-01-2021.... What steps have you taken to implement this advice and were you following this protocol before then?
Yours faithfully,
stephen-ciaran
“This email is covered by the disclaimer found at the end of the message.”
________________________________
Dear Mr Ciaran
Ref: Freedom of Information Request No. 19/21
Thank you for your request for information. Your request was received by the Public Health Agency on 10th February 2021. This request will be processed under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, within the statutory timescale of 20 working days. While we will endeavour to provide you with a response within this timescale, in the event of disruption to services due to COVID-19 there may be delays. Should any delays arise, we will endeavour to keep you informed with a revised, estimated date for response. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
The leaflet attached is provided for your information and tells you about the legislation and our procedures for dealing with requests for information.
If you have any queries about this communication, please do not hesitate to contact me. It would be helpful if you could quote the reference number above in any future communications relating to this request for information.
I trust you find this helpful.
Yours sincerely,
Carol Hermin
OBO FOI Team
“This email is covered by the disclaimer found at the end of the message.”
________________________________
Dear Mr Ciaran
Ref: Freedom of Information Request No. 19/21
Your request for information has now been considered by the Public Health Agency and I can confirm that the Public Health Agency does not hold this information. (In relation to Questions 3 and 4, the Public Health Agency does not have an in house laboratory).
It may be that the Health and Social Care Trusts may be in a position to consider and respond to your information request. I have added their contact details at Appendix 1 for your information.
If you have any queries about this communication or are unhappy with this response and wish to request an internal review, please do not hesitate to contact me. It would be helpful if you could quote the reference number above in any future communications relating to this request for information.
Yours sincerely,
Carol Hermin
OBO FOI Team
Dear Foi Pha,
Thank you for your reply. Can you please forward this on to the the relevant trusts? As I have no option to do so.
Yours sincerely,
stephen-ciaran
“This email is covered by the disclaimer found at the end of the message.”
________________________________
Afternoon Mr Ciaran
Ref: Freedom of Information Request No. 19/21
Thanks for your email below. This isn’t something we would normally do - requests usually come in directly from the requestor. I have extracted below the relevant email addresses - this should allow you to copy and paste these into a new email (in the "To" section) and simply forward your original request on?
Apologies in advance if I'm misunderstanding. I hope this is of assistance.
Many thanks
Carol
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