Coronavirus Testing
Coronavirus Testing Credit: HM Treasuryy / HM Treasury Credit: HM Treasuryy / HM Treasury

Exactly a year ago today, the Isle of Man Government confirmed that it started testing people for COVID-19. At that time, patients were swabbed on the Isle of Man, with the material then sent to Liverpool for evaluation. Subsequently, a local testing facility was established on the Isle of Man.

In response to my Freedom of Information request, we have, for the first time[efn_note]To my knowledge![/efn_note] actual, specific, numbers about the accuracy of the current testing taking place on the Isle of Man:

The main platform used on the IOM is a real time PCR with a sensitivity of 98.9%
and specificity of 99.1% using the QuantuMDx RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid
Detection Test. More details can be found through the company’s website and the
Public Health England Technical Validation Report.

SARS-CoV-2 testing on the Isle of Man, Freedom of Information response #1641517 to Michael Josem

This information is useful in determining the true probability that a person with a positive result actually has the coronavirus.

SARS-CoV-2-testing-on-the-Isle-of-ManDownload

Michael Josem is a long-term consumer advocate, most prominently as a global leader in combating fraud in the online gambling industry. He was in part the inspiration for the 20th Century Fox Movie, Runner Runner, starring Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake.

Josem has over a decade of experience as a senior business leader working across various high-tech and online industries, and takes action to build a better community. His primary volunteer roles include service for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and Graih, the homelessness charity.