What is the scientific evidence behind the decision?
Latest Government coronavirus figures show 84,429 more people tested positive for the virus today – Monday, January 17.
Despite consistently high case numbers, cases are down by more than 41 percent on average, compared to last week.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, World-leading immunologist and founding scientist of Cignpost Diagnostics, Professor Denis Kinane said: “Data from the UK Health Security Agency has demonstrated that two in three people are no longer infectious after five full days of isolation.
“But according to Cignpost’s own data, there is a possibility that 33 percent of people may still be positive on day five, meaning the number of people able to finish self-isolation at this point will be massively reduced by the requirement to return two negative lateral flow test results on successive days.”
While Professor Kinane notes not everyone will benefit from the reduced isolation period, he added: “This change to the self-isolation guidance decision will help mitigate the pressures on workforces that we have seen over the past month.”
