Publication - FOI/EIR release

COVID-19 PCR test amplification cycle number: FOI release

Published: 4 March 2021
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202000127405
Date received: 17 December 2020
Date responded: 3 March 2021

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

What limits on amplication on the PCR test does Scotland use and/or recommend?

Please send me any directive or letter authorising this.

Response

On 21 December Public Health Scotland published an updated version of Covid-19 Laboratory Testing - Frequently Asked Questions. You can find it here:

HPS Website - COVID-19 - laboratory testing frequently asked questions (scot.nhs.uk)

Each manufacturer of the RT-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.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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