PCR testing and management of COVID-19 (FOI)

Request

Please can you provide detailed information on PCR testing in regard to the following in Jersey.

A

The number of cycles this test has been run at since it was a requirement from 23 March 2020?

B

Assuming the virus has been naturally fully isolated and the missing parts not been made up to arrive at the conclusion can you please provide details of exactly what the PCR test detects and if this test is specifically for active Covid-19 and for which variants and clarify that it does not detect any dead coronaviruses of any kind?

C

Please can you provide information on the spread of the virus in Jersey?

D

How many people have died purely of Covid-19 with no other underlying medical conditions?

E

The number of cases that have been reported using this PCR test since 23 March?

F

Can you please provide more information on the PCR test and what it contains?

G

Who is responsible if any future damage is caused to the nasal passages from testing?

H

Are there any chemicals on the swab that could cause damage to the delicate tissue and olfactory bulb that are activated on contact with moisture which could be cancerous?

I

Is there adequate time to discuss any issues before receiving one of these tests on arrival in Jersey due to their invasive nature?

In terms of the vaccination information it has not been FDA approved and is still in clinical trials until 2023 which is not stated on the information on your site. It has been give emergency use authorisation only.

J

Please can you provide information on who in Jersey has read the full report of all the three vaccination trials to arrive at the conclusion that it can be declared safe and effective when it is very early in its trial phase which hasn't been declared on the Jersey.gov web pages?

K

Are you acting under Jersey law as the links to the gov.uk pages for more detailed information makes it unclear?

Response

A

Information is publicly available on www.gov.je therefore Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

Covid-19 PCR testing cycles (FOI)

B

Information is publicly available on www.gov.je therefore Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

Thermal cycles of PCR tests (FOI)

C

Information is publically available on www.gov.je therefore Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, tests and inbound travel  

D

Covid-19 deaths with no other contributory causes (FOI) 

This data remains unchanged as at 7 July 2021.

E

Please refer to 'C' above.

F

Information is publicly available on www.gov.je in response to a previous FOI request. Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has therefore been applied.

Chemicals used in PCR testing (FOI)

G

Should a complaint be made following use of a PCR test then this would be investigated as with any complaint arising from a medical procedure. The outcome of the investigation would seek to determine responsibility and this is impossible to determine in advance. In general terms responsibility for damage caused administering the test lies with the Government; damage caused by the test being non-compliant with approved production processes would potentially lie with the manufacturer.

H

The details of what is contained within the PCR test are shown on the NHS website including the detail of the materials in the testing kit.

I

Although this question does not fall under information held for the purpose of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011, it can be confirmed that there will be an opportunity to discuss any issues. However, it is suggested that a call to the Helpline prior to travelling may be beneficial so that any issues can be addressed before arriving in Jersey.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) (gov.je)  

J

Three COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer/BioNTech, COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna, are currently being used in the UK and on Jersey. After a review of the evidence, all have been authorised for supply by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) following a thorough review of safety, quality and efficacy information from clinical trials. In clinical trials (please see the first link below), the vaccines showed very high levels of protection against symptomatic infections with COVID-19. Data are now available (please see second link below) on the impact of the vaccination campaign in reducing infections and illness in the UK.

MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

PHE monitoring of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine was evaluated in clinical trials involving more than 44,000 participants. The COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca was evaluated in clinical trials involving more than 23,000 participants. The COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna was evaluated in clinical trials involving more than 30,000 participants.

It is the MHRA’s role to continually monitor safety during widespread use of a vaccine and they have in place a proactive strategy to do this. Please see link below:

Report of the Commission on Human Medicines Expert Working Group on COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

K

PCR testing is carried out under powers contained in the Covid-19 (Screening, Assessment and Isolation) (Jersey) Regulations 2020. Travellers to Jersey have the option of submitting to testing on arrival or isolating for a specified period, as directed in accordance with the 2020 Regulations.

Article applied

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.