The United Nations Climate summit or COP26 in Glasgow resulted in almost 300 people testing positive for COVID-19.
COP26: COVID-19 cases on the rise?
The primary analysis shows that 291 people who tested COVID-19 positive were linked to COP26. Additionally, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland confirmed that despite this, there was no substantial rise in cases. She also added that strict measures were in place for lowering the risk of virus transmission. For example, people entering the main summit site ‘Blue Zone’ had to show negative lateral flow test results. Additionally, attendees had to wear a face mask at all times. The conference area was also rigorously cleaned.
According to the reports from Public Health Scotland (PHS), about four in every 1,000 members at the event tested positive for the virus through regular lateral flow testing. Hence, the First Minister’s mitigation measures were quite successful. The PHS also looked into the number of people who attended the climate conference. The data also comprised workshops and protests outside Glasgow’s Scottish Events Campus. Additionally, about 12 in every 1,000 people in the wider population tested positive during the week prior to the event.
More on the health department’s report
According to the PHS report, 92 people tested negative but were in the venue. It also explains that lateral flow tests are lower in efficiency than PCR tests. Hence, several early and asymptomatic infections may be missed. “An additional linkage of LFD and PCR may identify individuals who only tested positive by PCR, or, alternatively, those who subsequently tested negative by PCR,” explained the report. The report is a crucial step in refining estimates of infection rates among the COP26 attendees. The PHS will publish a final update by the end of this month.