AQW 26980/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 07/12/2021
Answered On Date: 25/03/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether consideration is being given to the use of different coronavirus tests, using just mouth swabs, for children with particular needs who may not otherwise be able to be tested.

Answer:

My Department acknowledges the particular challenges for some people, particularly people with special needs, in undertaking a PCR test in circumstances where they are symptomatic. A nasal only PCR swab is an acceptable alternative in exceptional circumstances where a nose and throat swab cannot be tolerated.

From the beginning of November 2021, less invasive nasal only LFDs were introduced for routine asymptomatic testing in mainstream schools while pupils in Special schools also began to transition to using the nasal only LFDs in January 2022.