'RT-PCR detects presence of viral genetic material in a sample but is not able to distinguish whether infectious virus is present. The quantity of intact virus in upper respiratory swabs will be affected by factors that are endogenous and exogenous to laboratory methods.'

Could Covid-19 Vaccines become compulsory and can a requirement on individuals to undergo vaccination as a condition of release from pandemic-related restrictions on liberty, including on movement and association, be implemented? 

 In November 2020, the Health Secretary again stated that the Government was not proposing to make any vaccination for Covid-19 mandatory, but added that he had “learnt not to rule things out during this pandemic because we have to watch what happens and you have to make judgments accordingly".

 This analysis shows how the provisions of the Coronavirus Act have contributed to the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic 

 In Partnership with The World Economic Forum; This white paper sets out plans to transform the UK’s regulatory system to support innovation while APPARENTLY protecting citizens and the environment 

Published 28 August 2020

In this document it states 'There is limited evidence that wearing a medical mask by healthy individuals in households, in particular those who share a house with a sick person, or among attendees of mass gatherings may be beneficial as a measure preventing transmission.

Results from cluster randomized controlled trials on the use of masks among young adults living in university residences in the United States of America indicate that face masks may reduce the rate of influenza-like illness, but showed no impact on risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza.(62, 63) At present, there is no direct evidence (from studies on COVID-19 and in healthy people in the community) on the effectiveness of universal masking of healthy people in the community to prevent infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.'

In those cases where the doctor is confident on medical grounds that a particular cause of death is

likely then that should be entered on the MCCD. COVID-19 is an acceptable direct or underlying cause of death for the purposes of completing the MCCD, even without the results of a positive test, and it is important that likely COVID-19 deaths are reported as such via the registrar.

The rules surrounding the completion of the MCCD have changed following the Coronavirus Act

2020. In order for a doctor to complete a MCCD without referral to the coroner any doctor must have seen (including via video link) the patient in the 28 days before death, or alternatively in person after death. If these conditions are met, then a doctor may complete a MCCD which is sent to the registrar who will record the death and complete the paperwork to allow burial or cremation.