Statistical data set

COVID-19 surge testing outcomes reports: management information

Sequencing of confirmed COVID-19 cases via test sites and home testing of postcodes included in surge testing operations.

Surge testing summary 1 July 2021

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Surge testing summary 24 June 2021

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Surge testing summary 17 June 2021

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Surge testing summary 10 June 2021

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Surge testing summary 3 June 2021

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Surge testing summary 27 May 2021

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Surge testing summary 20 May 2021

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Surge testing summary 13 May 2021

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Surge testing summary 6 May 2021

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Surge testing summary 29 April 2021

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Surge testing summary 22 April 2021

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Surge testing summary 15 April 2021

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Surge testing summary 8 April 2021

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Surge testing summary 1 April 2021

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Work is underway in NHS Test and Trace to digitally label samples associated with surge testing, through an end-to-end process from sample to sequence. In the interim, this preliminary analysis uses a pragmatic proxy of samples identified through local surge testing initiatives as:

  • specimens taken at a mobile test unit (MTU), regional test site (RTS) or local test site (LTS) that has been designated by NHS Test and Trace as related to surge testing, during the period surge testing was in operation PLUS

  • specimens from a home test kit delivered to a postcode within a designated surge test area, during the period surge testing was in operation

Tests undertaken as part of surge testing but from persons resident in other postcodes or processed through a test site not designated as surge testing using the definition above, will not be included in this proxy.

Indicators are presented by ‘locality’ of area targeted for surge testing and the test sites linked to it (including MTU deployment). Locality names are the operational names assigned by Test and Trace and do not necessarily relate to strict geographical boundaries. Specimens from individuals who do not reside in the locality – but who have been tested at a site associated with the locality for surge testing – may be included.

All variant of concern or variant under investigation samples identified through surge testing are verified through established PHE dataflows and matched to the earliest positive specimen of a case in the daily line list of cases. Therefore, this report does not include sequencing for any cases with a positive specimen taken prior to surge testing. Data from the last 7 days has been excluded to allow time for sequencing data to be reported.

Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing and cases first identified using LFD are included. Cases first identified using LFD may have a later PCR sample which has been sequenced. LFD contribution to case rate is assumed to be similar in surge and non-surge areas and therefore should not impact comparative sequencing estimates.

More information on variants of concern can be found on the Investigation of novel SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern page.

More information on surge testing can be found on the Surge testing for new coronavirus (COVID-19) variants page.

This surge testing outcomes analysis was developed as a pragmatic proxy to identify samples identified through local surge testing initiatives, while work was underway in NHS Test and Trace to digitally label samples associated with surge testing. As part of a transition to reporting solely based on digital labelling of samples, the surge testing summary published on 1 July 2021 is the final proxy based report. Future monitoring information around surge testing will be available directly from NHS Test and Trace.

Updates to this page

Published 1 April 2021
Last updated 1 July 2021 + show all updates
  1. Added 1 July summary.

  2. Added 24 June 2021 summary.

  3. Added 17 June 2021 summary.

  4. Added 10 June 2021 summary.

  5. Added 3 June 2021 summary.

  6. Added 27 May 2021 summary.

  7. Added 20 May 2021 summary.

  8. Added 13 May 2021 summary

  9. Added 6 May 2021 summary.

  10. Added 29 April summary.

  11. Added 22 April summary.

  12. Added 15 April summary.

  13. Added 8 April summary.

  14. First published.