PCR test amplification cycles

Department of Health and Social Care did not have the information requested.

Dear Department of Health and Social Care,

Each manufacturer of the Covid PCR test will recommend a differing maximum amplification cycle number when determining the presence of SARS CoV-2, but a maximum of around 40 amplification cycles is typically recommended by test manufacturers.

Has the amplification cycle value changed over the past 15 months ?

Please tell me how many software updates have been sent to these PCR machines throughout the United Kingdom over the past 15 months?

Was the amplification cycle set point ever changed during any PCR lab equipment updates?

Yours faithfully,

Chris Richings

Department of Health and Social Care

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Department of Health and Social Care

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Richings,

Please find attached the Department of Health and Social Care's response
to your recent FOI request (our ref:FOI-1334363).

Yours sincerely, 

Freedom of Information Team
Department of Health and Social Care

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