Manchester Airports Group bolsters onsite testing with eight new centres and welcomes Randox onboard
Manchester Airports Group bolsters onsite testing with eight new centres and welcomes Randox onboard
Monday 28 June 2021: Manchester Airports Group bolsters onsite testing with eight new centres and welcomes Randox onboard
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has announced plans to more than treble the number of testing sites at its airports ahead of the restart of international travel.
MAG – which owns Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted airports – also confirmed Randox will join existing partner Collinson to operate the sites, which will be a combination of walk-through and drive-through testing centres.
Together, they will operate 11 sites across MAG’s three airports, offering passengers a range of tests for arrival and departure, including packages for amber/green list countries, plus Test to Release, which unlocks passengers from quarantine after a full five days.
Both providers will offer unique tests, including Randox’s rapid 1-3-hour PCR test and Collinson’s same day Test to Release offering. Currently PCR tests can take up to 48 hours, meaning passengers have to come to the airport ahead of their trip. However, with Randox’s rapid PCR test, with results available in just 1-3 hours, travellers can save time and do the test on the day of travel.
Collinson’s same-day Test to Release process uses a rapid LAMP test, meaning that passengers can get their results back on the same day and release from quarantine on day five* with a negative result. Other providers use PCR, meaning it can take up to day six or seven to get a result. These are just two of the services Randox and Collinson will provide across MAG’s airports, with more than a dozen tests and options available.
PCR test prices start from £60, a full list of tests on offer, costs, plus locations at each airport can be found below. Tests can be booked online now.
Brad Miller, Managing Director of MAG, said:
“We are pleased to be increasing our testing facilities at all three of our airports ahead of international travel re-starting in earnest.
“By offering both arrival and departure tests, as well as a choice of walk-through and drive-through test centres, passengers know they can select whatever it is they need to make their trip as stress-free as possible.
“We are looking forward to working with both partners and hope to get Britain flying again as soon as possible.
“Finally, I’d like to thank all of the staff and colleagues involved from all organisations, in delivering these new services.”
David Ferguson, Sales Director from Randox said:
“To date Randox has processed over 13 million gold-standard PCR samples, and testing continues to be a vital part of the response to COVID-19 – not only to identify cases and prevent further spread, but also to assist with a return to social normality and international travel.
“We are delighted to be working with Manchester Airports Group to support its enormous efforts to ensure passenger safety, and with premium COVID testing services in place across Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted airports, our new partnership will allow people to get back in the air again when international travel resumes.
“Randox is committed to providing accurate and cost-effective testing to ensure that essential travel, and holidaying when and where possible, is accessible, affordable and reliable and as such have invested in our capacity to now be able to process over 500,000 tests per day.”
David Evans, Joint CEO from Collinson said:
“The new spacious facilities will enable more travellers to be tested in a safe and comfortable environment, ensuring that departures and arrivals can happen as conveniently as possible. Collinson is proud to offer the full range of Government-approved COVID-19 testing solutions, including the only Test-to-Release process that allows travellers testing negative to be safely released from quarantine after just five full days.
“We’re continuing to develop and strengthen our relationship with MAG, offering a full spectrum of tests and helping to support travellers as they prepare for a well-deserved summer break.”
MAG is the UK’s largest airport operator and has been at the forefront of passenger safety throughout the pandemic. It was one of the first airport groups to introduce a range of onsite safety measures including mandatory face coverings, enhanced cleaning, bookable security slots and sanitiser stations. It opened its first testing centres in December 2020 with Collinson and has performed over 100,000 tests across its three airports to date.
RANDOX TESTS ON OFFER:
- Departures – PCR (1-3 hours) / (12 hours) / (next day) – £95 / £70 / £60
- Departures – LAMP – £70
- Departures – Antigen – £39
- Departures – Antibody – £39
- Arrivals – Green Arrival (Day 2) – £60
- Arrivals – Amber Arrival (Day 2 and 8 package) – £120
- Arrivals – Test to Release (12 hours) – £60
For more information or to book visit fly.randox.com
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of Covid-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to allow international travellers to travel with confidence.
For further information on Covid testing services please contact the Randox Covid Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team: randoxpr@randox.com
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Randox Professor of Medicine: Ulster University Announces Creation of New Role at Brand New School of Medicine
Wednesday 23 June 2021
Ulster University Announces Creation of New Role at Brand New School of Medicine: the Randox Professor of Medicine
Ulster University has received £1.2million in funding for medical education and research from Randox Laboratories Ltd. Thanks to this generous donation from Randox Laboratories, the University is creating its first Professor of Medicine post, to be titled, the Randox Professor of Medicine.
This will be a clinical and academic post so the appointee to the Randox Professorship will provide educational leadership, teaching and training thus inspiring the next generation of doctors and researchers in the area.
Alongside education, the post holder will develop a research portfolio in line with the research strategy of the School of Medicine and ambitions included in the Health Research Institute-THRIVE (HRI-THRIVE) Project as part of the Derry and Strabane City Deal.
The successful appointee to the Randox Professorship will have an outstanding track-record in medical research with the experience, vision and enthusiasm to build on current strengths in the University and develop a leading research presence in the School of Medicine.
The Randox Professor will be part of a vibrant and intellectually stimulating translational research community both within the School of Medicine and C-TRIC and will have access to the leading research facilities which the University offers. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with existing researchers in personalised medicine and influence the research and innovation direction of the proposed THRIVE Research Units that currently include: Blood Cancer; Cardiovascular Research and Improvement Science; Neuromuscular Health (Motor Neuron Disease, MS, Parkinson’s Disease); Brain Health (Depression, psychosis, Alzheimer’s Disease); Orthopaedic and Rheumatic Health; and Multiple Long-term Conditions.
The Randox professor will deliver clinical care within the Western Trust, contributing directly to patient care and improving health outcomes for our local community.
Dr Catherine McDonnell, Medical Director at the Western Trust, is excited at the new appointment:
“This is a unique opportunity, and shows what can be achieved with collaborative working and by forging partnerships between organisations.
“The Randox Professorship will play a crucial role in the delivery of patient care in the months and years ahead, and will help us bring in fresh expertise to what is already a very strong team on the ground.
“We would like to thank both Ulster University and Randox Laboratories for partnering in this exciting venture, which we believe will have a very positive impact on our patients and the Western Trust overall.”
Pictured left to right are Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director, Randox Laboratories, and Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University
The post will report into the Foundation Dean of the School of Medicine and recruitment will commence in the coming weeks.
The role will be supported by Randox Laboratories for a period of 5 years.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director, Randox Laboratories said:
“At this time of rapid and significant change within medicine, it is imperative that industry, academia and medical education are aligned to improve both patient outcomes and the efficiency of healthcare services. The announcement of the new post of Randox Professor of Medicine within the new Ulster University School of Medicine shows our commitment to these critical national priorities. Ulster University and Randox are both renowned globally for healthcare research and education, particularly in the field of diagnostics, and together provide a vital platform to support the next generation of aspirational clinicians – to develop critical skills, make a positive difference to patient healthcare around the world, and cement Northern Ireland’s reputation as a global hub for life sciences.”
Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University added:
“By opening the School of Medicine in August we are committing to address the acute shortage of doctors in Northern Ireland and to recruit students and staff who will be locally focused yet globally ambitious. The appointment of the Randox Professor of Medicine will enable us to further this ambition and allow us to enhance the University’s existing expertise and research excellence in personalised medicine diagnostics and contribute to expanding the medical diagnostics sector. With the strong emphasis on personalised medicine in the Derry and Strabane City Deal, the Randox Professor of Medicine will join us at an exciting time for the region.
“The University sees the ground breaking Randox Professorship as an opportunity to further our long standing partnership with Randox so that we might together have a unique opportunity to support clinical medicine, enhance the quality of patient care through highly relevant translational research and inspire the next generation of doctors.”
Professor Louise Dubras, Foundation Dean, School of Medicine at Ulster University, added:
“As we look forward to our first students arriving in August this year, we are excited to be progressing this role, the first of our “second wave”, to complement the exceptional staff team in place to deliver the first year of the programme. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an inspirational academic clinical leader to shape the direction of clinical and translational research within the School of Medicine. I’m looking for an outstanding candidate with a wealth of teaching experience and a passion for related research which will inform teaching. This candidate will join me and the incredible team we have put together to teach the doctors of the future.”
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team on amy.millar@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
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Gold standard testing for Great Britain’s Olympians: Randox Health and Team GB sign 2-year COVID Testing Partnership
Monday 14 June 2021
Gold standard testing for Great Britain’s Olympians: Randox Health and Team GB sign 2-year COVID Testing Partnership
The British Olympic Association and Randox Health, the United Kingdom’s largest Covid-19 PCR testing provider, today announce they have signed a two-year partnership for Team GB’s Covid-19 testing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in 2021 and Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. By agreeing the best possible testing service plan, Randox and Team GB can together provide more certainty for the Olympians’ safe travel from the UK to Tokyo, and home again.
To provide its gold-standard PCR testing services, Randox has created a bespoke dashboard for Team GB to register its samples, which will be taken by the Team GB Clinical Team and then transported to the company’s laboratory in Northern Ireland. Randox will test over 1,000 Olympians, coaches and support staff in order to meet Japan’s stringent testing requirements and thereby minimising possible transmission of the virus. Randox will provide each member of Team GB with three rounds of pre-departure tests – 14 days, 96 hours and 72 hours prior to departure – plus Day 2, Day 5 (if required) and Day 8 testing once back in the UK.
Randox Managing Director, Dr Peter FitzGerald, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting Team GB by helping them get safely to the starting line in Tokyo with our premium Covid-19 testing services, the provision of which has been a major focus of ours since the outbreak of the pandemic. Over the last year, we have been investing significantly in our customer service and testing capacity, which means Randox can now process over 500,000 tests per day, making it the largest laboratory in Europe, and to date has processed over 13 million tests. For this reason, our Olympians and anyone else who needs to travel internationally can rest assured that they will receive timely results.”
British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said:
“This is a fantastic and vital partnership for Team GB ahead of Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022. We have committed to our hosts in Japan and the IOC to ensure that our delegation is fully vaccinated and are also ensuring we have enhanced Covid testing in place. Randox’s pedigree in this area gives us great confidence that we are providing athletes with the best possible medical support around Covid testing and that they get to the start line safely ready to compete successfully for the biggest moment of their sporting careers.”
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of Covid-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to allow international travellers to travel with confidence.
For further information on Covid testing services please contact the Randox Covid Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team: randoxpr@randox.com
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Randox Health partners with Roadchef Motorway Services to provide 20+ Covid Test Kit Dropboxes across the UK
10 June 2021: Randox Health partners with Roadchef Motorway Services to provide 20+ Covid Test Kit Dropboxes across the UK
Randox Health, the UK’s largest Covid-19 PCR testing provider, is today pleased to announce a partnership with Roadchef Motorway Services, to expand its Covid-19 test kit dropbox network by an additional 20 sites across the UK.
Bringing the diagnostics company’s list of dropbox locations to now more than 100, the expansion comes as the resumption of international travel has increased the demand for Randox’s Covid-19 pre departure, day 2, day 8 and day 5 (test to release) testing services.
New Randox dropboxes have been installed at Roadchef sites including Durham, Chester, Cumbria, Swansea, Somerset and Kent.
Randox Business Development Manager Damian Milligan said;
“As we continue to invest in our testing capacity, customer support services, and logistics, we are pleased to partner with Roadchef Motorway Services to expand our UK Dropbox locations, offering a reliable and efficient way of returning your Covid-19 testing kit to our laboratories for testing.
“As our own independently-run private courier service, the Randox Dropbox service allows us to track delivery of your sample right through from drop-off to arrival at the lab, providing prompt delivery and next day results, to help reassure our customers that they will receive their results in time and their travel will go to plan.”
Roadchef Commercial Director Tracy Baitup commented;
“We welcome the opportunity to work alongside Randox, as the UK’s largest Covid-19 PCR testing provider, by providing our Roadchef Motorway Service locations as dropbox sites, to make the return of Covid-19 testing kits as easy as possible for those wishing to travel.
“Randox has played a key role in the global fight against Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic last year and we are proud to be able to support their endeavours to facilitate international travel when it is safe to do so.”
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, and a Covid-19 testing capacity of over 500,000 tests per day, is the largest Covid-19 laboratory in Europe. Having processed over 13 million tests to date, the company has proven testing capability, well-established logistics and dedicated customer support services, making it strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
For further information on Covid testing services please contact the Randox Covid Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team: randoxpr@randox.com
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Randox Health COVID-19 PCR tests reduced to Ā£43 for international travel
07 June 2021: Randox Health COVID-19 PCR tests reduced to £43 for international travel
Randox Health, the UK’s largest Covid-19 PCR testing provider, today is pleased to announce a major reduction in the price of its gold-standard PCR tests for international travel to a market leading £43. The standard price for the PCR test has also been reduced to a highly competitive £48, with the international travel price accessed through discount codes provided by airlines and travel agencies. The company has significantly expanded its testing capacity, customer support and logistic capabilities over the past year, allowing for greater efficiencies and the most competitive service in the UK, allowing travel with confidence.
The company has to date partnered with 19 major airlines including British Airways, Easyjet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Cathay Pacific and Jet2, and travel providers, such as TUI, to provide discount codes. Randox also has discount code agreements with 17 travel agents, including with the DNATA Travel Group. Randox also provides a unique sample return service based on drop-boxes, which allows customers to guarantee their samples arrive at the laboratories on or before the next day. Randox and DX drop-boxes currently provide over 100 drop-off convenient locations across the UK.
David Ferguson, Sales Director, said: “We recognise the importance of international travel to both the economy and to individuals and are committed to ensuring that essential travel, and holidaying when and where possible, is affordable. Our significant investment and capacity expansion programme has allowed us to make this further price reduction, demonstrating our commitment to helping people live their lives as easily and normally as possible.
“Randox have a capacity of over 500,000 tests per day, making it the largest laboratory in Europe, and to date has processed over 13 million tests. For this reason, travellers can rest assured that they will receive their results in time and their travel will go to plan. Randox has played an important role in the international fight against the pandemic and we will continue to invest in our capacity and services.”
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of Covid-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to allow international travellers to travel with confidence.
For further information on our COVID testing services please contact the Randox COVID Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team: randoxpr@randox.com
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Randox Signs Principal Partnership with Sheffield United FC
26th May 2021 – Randox Signs Principal Partnership with Sheffield United FC
Global innovative healthcare company and the UK’s largest COVID-19 PCR testing provider Randox is today pleased to announce that it has signed a three-year principle partnership agreement with Sheffield United. The partnership will commence in the 2021 /2022 season and will include both men’s and women’s first team. From next season both teams will wear the Randox logo on their jerseys.
Founded in 1982 in County Antrim by leading medical scientist, Dr. Peter FitzGerald CBE, Randox has been a pioneer in improving health and enhancing lives, worldwide. To achieve their goals the company is committed to an extensive research programme, including investing more than £300m in the development of its innovative biochip array programme to enable earlier, more accurate diagnosis. The company currently employs more than 2000 people of over 40 different nationalities.
Randox is a world leader in healthcare diagnostics; today more than 5% of the world’s population – in excess of 370 million people across 145 countries – receives medical diagnosis through use of Randox products each year. Over the past year, Randox has been at the forefront of the UK’s fight against COVID-19, and has significantly invested in its testing capacity meaning that it can now process over 500,000 tests per day, making it amongst the very largest COVID-19 laboratories in Europe. To date Randox having processed over 13 million COVID-19 PCR tests in the UK and now have comprehensive Covid-19 testing, logistics and customer services available to support overseas holidays and those undertaking international travel.
Randox has a proud history of supporting sports, and has been the Official Partner of the, the Grand National since 2017.
Dr. Peter FitzGerald CBE, Randox Chief Executive Officer, said;
“We are very excited about this partnership and the opportunity to align Randox with Sheffield United Football Club. Not only is Sheffield the birthplace of football, but it is also one of the fastest growing cities in developing sports science and medical technology which we are very keen to see how we can look to assist through our services. We are extremely proud to be the principal partner of the Blades and to be a part of the club’s progress in the years to come.”
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team on amy.millar@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
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Randox supports Northern Ireland travellers to the Algarve with essential COVID-19 PCR ātest-to-returnā service
21st May 2021 – Randox supports Northern Ireland travellers to the Algarve with essential COVID-19 PCR ‘test-to-return’ service
The NI Executive has today announced that, from 24th May, travellers from Portugal to Northern Ireland must arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test. This varies from travellers to England, where a lateral flow test is also a possibility. Randox, the UK’s largest COVID-19 PCR testing provider, have recently announced that travellers to the Algarve will be able to purchase a COVID-19 “test-to-return” kit. In a first for the industry, NI holidaymakers will then be able to have their self-collected samples promptly flown from their holiday destination to Randox’s laboratories in Antrim for gold standard PCR testing. Results are emailed to the traveller ready in time for their flight home.
In response to high demand from British holidaymakers to visit Portugal, Randox has partnered with the largest laboratory chain in the Algarve to offer holidaymakers to the region this new quick and easy solution. Travellers simply purchase and take their ‘test-to-return’ kit to Portugal and, at their convenience, self-collect their sample 3 days before the return flight. Travellers drop their sample at one of the listed partner laboratory sites and samples are then flown to Randox’s testing facilities in Antrim. Customers receive their results the next day. The partner laboratory has many convenient sites across the Algarve, including at Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, Silves, Albufera, Loule, Faro, Olaho and Quartiera.
The PCR test-to-return service will be available to travellers returning on flights from the Algarve from the 7th June and will cost £60 per testing kit. As a package travellers from NI can also purchase from Randox PCR tests for pre-departure from the UK and the required Day 2 test on return.
Sophie Boyd, Randox Operations Manager, said;
“As the UK gradually opens up to international travel, we are delighted to be able to offer those visiting the Algarve the ability to have a fast and reliable PCR ‘test-to-return’ service, which means travellers have one less thing to worry about and can concentrate on enjoying their holiday. This is particularly relevant for travellers from Northern Ireland. Through our partner network we also have support for the traveller in the Algarve, should they need it.
“Randox is now able to process 500,000 tests a day for international travel – more than any other laboratory in Europe – and to date our laboratories have processed over 13 million tests. We are working hard to support the international fight against the pandemic by offering testing services that allow people to live their lives as normally as possible.
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
For further information on our COVID testing services please contact the Randox COVID Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
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The Importance of Diagnostic Testing in SARS-CoV-2 Adverse Outcomes
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), a highly contagious disease, primarily manifests as an acute respiratory illness, however, for those with health complications, including: autoimmune diseases, asthma, heart disease and diabetes, the risk of developing serious illness and adverse outcomes is much greater. It is estimated that 1 in 6 will experience adverse outcomes that could be life-threatening 1. The spread and devastation of COVID-19 highlights the vital role laboratory diagnostics plays in the diagnosis and management of suspected and affected patients. As the COVID pandemic continues, it is imperative that fast and accurate diagnostic testing strategies are implemented for effective risk stratification and monitoring of treatment and recovery.
In this article, we will review how Randox Reagents can aid in diagnosing and managing SARS-CoV-2 adverse outcomes.
Cytokine Storms
The immune system activates a pro-inflammatory response to enhance host immunity against viruses and decrease colonisation and infection, but only if the pro-inflammatory response is controlled. Uncontrolled pro-inflammatory responses can result in a cytokine storm 2. A cytokine storm is a serious complication associated with SARS-CoV-2, which can trigger life-threatening pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure 3, 4. Cytokine storms occur in 5% of severe COVID-19 cases, with several inflammatory cytokines observed at high levels. Due to the elevation of several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, a multiplex immunoassay approach can offer several advantages over the widely utilised single ELISA tests. The simultaneous detection of multiple cytokines from a single patient sample will provide clinicians with a comprehensive overview of cytokine markers and complete patient profile, facilitating a personalised treatment plan to be implemented 5, 6.
Inflammation
In COVID-19 patients, CRP testing has proved to perform well in discriminating disease severity and predicting adverse outcomes 7. Elevated CRP levels have been identified in 86% of patients admitted to hospital. CRP measurements are useful in diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring for clinical improvements or deterioration. Moreover, the acute phase reactant, ferritin, has been observed to increase in approximately 60% of COVID-19 patients. In the critically ill COVID-19 patients, extremely elevated ferritin concentrations were recorded, which could be attributed to a cytokine storm and secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (a hyper-inflammatory syndrome associated with multi-organ failure) 8.
Renal Function
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in diabetic patients who test positive for COVID-19. Regardless, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend AKI testing in all COVID-19 patients upon hospital admission and their condition monitored throughout their stay 9.
The most commonly utilised screening test for renal impairment is serum creatinine (SCr); however, it is important to consider the accuracy and reliability of the method. Two commercially available methods exist for SCr determination: Jaffe and enzymatic. Whilst the Jaffe method is less expensive, it is more susceptible to interferences which can lead to the misdiagnosis of patients, which isn’t ideal in the current pandemic 7. Moreover, the sensitivity of SCr, regardless of method, in the early detection of renal disease is poor, as SCr is insensitive to small changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Up to 50% of renal function can potentially be lost before significant SCr levels become detectable 8, 9. In comparison, cystatin C (CysC) is a superior marker of renal function and is useful in the determination of the extent of renal damage, as well as distinguishing those with severe and mild COVID-19 10.
Hepatic Function
Abnormal liver function tests significantly increases a COVID-19 patients risk of developing severe disease and complications such as pneumonia 11. Bilirubin levels, 3 times the upper limit have been observed in COVID-19 patients 11, 12. Whilst the diazo method is commonly utilised in bilirubin testing, superior methods exist. The vanadate oxidation (VO) method offers several advantages particularly in haemolytic and lipemic samples. These advantages are particularly evident in neonatal and infant populations where haemolysis is extremely common. Moreover, the VO method offers a wider analytical measurement range for the comfortable detection of clinically important results 13.
Other liver function markers are known to be elevated in COVID-19 patients including both AST and ALT, with markers like albumin decreased.
The Importance of Lp(a) Testing
Lipoprotein(a) / Lp(a), a strong independent marker of cardiovascular disease risk has recently been identified as a key risk marker of cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients. Those with either baseline elevated or elevated levels of Lp(a) following COVID-19 infection may be at a significantly increased risk of developing thromboses. Consideration should be given to measurement of Lp(a) and prophylactic anticoagulation of infected patients to reduce the risk. Elevated Lp(a) levels may also cause acute destabilization of pre-existing but quiescent, atherosclerotic plaques, which could induce an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (stroke) 14.
The size heterogeneity of apo(a) isoforms represents the biggest challenge faced by laboratories in accurately measuring Lp(a). The variable numbers of repeated KIV-2 units in act as multiple epitopes, and so standardisation across calibrators is vital. Unless the calibrants have the same range of isoforms as test samples, those with higher numbers of the KIV-2 repeat, will represent with an overestimation in Lp(a) concentrations and those with smaller numbers of the KIV-2 repeat, will represent with an underestimation. The smaller isoforms are strongly associated with higher Lp(a) concentrations 15.
Lp(a) assays that are standardised to the WHO/IFCC (World Health Organization/International Federation of Clinical Chemistry) reference material, transferring values from mg/dl to nmol/l are more uniform. The assay considered the most reliable commercially available Lp(a) assay is so because: 15
1. The isoform size variations are reduced as a range of calibrators from separate pools of serum used, which covered a range of Lp(a) concentrations.
2. The isoform size and concentrations are inversely correlated, better matching calibrants with test samples.
3. Methods are calibrated in nmol/l and traceable to WHO/IFCC reference material and give acceptable bias compared with the Northwest Lipid Metabolism and Diabetes Research Laboratory (NLMDRKL) gold standard method.
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References
[1] Complications coronavirus can cause. https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-complications#1 (accessed 22 July 2020).
[2] The powerful virus inflammatory response. https://www.mdedge.com/chestphysician/article/189513/infectious-diseases/powerful-virus-inflammatory-response (accessed 4 August 2020).
[3] George A. Cytokine storm: an overreaction of the body’s immune system. https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/ (accessed 22 July 2020).
[5] Del Valle DM, Kim-Schulze S, Huang HH, Beckmann M, Nirenberg S, et al. An inflammatory cytokine signature helps predict COVID-19 severity and death. The Preprint Server for Health Sciences https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.28.20115758v1.full.pdf (accessed 24 July 2020).
Randox launches new Ā£60 Covid19 ātest-to-returnā service for travellers to the Algarve
19 May 2021: Randox launches new £60 Covid19 ‘test-to-return’ service for travellers to the Algarve
Randox, the UK’s largest Covid-19 PCR testing provider, announces that from today travellers to the Algarve will be able to purchase a COVID-19 “test-to-return” kit. In a first for the industry, UK holidaymakers will then be able to have their self-collected samples promptly flown from their holiday destination to Randox’s laboratories in the UK for gold standard PCR testing. Results are emailed to the traveller ready in time for their flight home.
In response to high demand from British holidaymakers to visit Portugal, Randox has partnered with the largest laboratory chain in the Algarve to offer holidaymakers to the region this new quick and easy solution.
Travellers simply purchase and take their ‘test-to-return’ kit to Portugal and, at their convenience, self-collect their sample 3 days before the return flight. Travellers drop their sample at one of the listed partner laboratory sites and samples are then flown to Randox’s testing facilities in the UK. Customers receive their results the next day. The partner laboratory has many convenient sites across the Algarve, including at Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, Silves, Albufera, Loule, Faro, Olaho and Quartiera.
The PCR test-to-return service will be available to travellers returning on flights from the Algarve from the 7th June and will cost £60 per testing kit. This latest offering from Randox removes the stress of holidaymakers trying to find local providers with testing capacity, and adds to the company’s existing traveller focussed services, which include: Pre-Departure (From the UK); Test to Release (Day 5); Day 2 Testing (Green Countries); and Day 2 and Day 8 Testing (Amber countries).
Sophie Boyd, Randox Operations Manager, said;
“As the UK gradually opens up to international travel, we are delighted to be able to offer those visiting the Algarve the ability to have a fast and reliable PCR ‘test-to-return’ service, which means travellers have one less thing to worry about and can concentrate on enjoying their holiday. Through our partner network we also have support for the traveller in the Algarve, should they need it.
“Randox is now able to process 500,000 tests a day for international travel – more than any other laboratory in Europe – and to date our laboratories have processed over 13 million tests. We are working hard to support the international fight against the pandemic by offering testing services that allow people to live their lives as normally as possible.”
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of Covid-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to support the return to international travel.
To book a Test to Return test please click here.
To book a Test to Return travel pack please click here.
For further information on our Covid testing services please contact the Randox Covid Customer Support team on covidcustomersupport@randox.com or 0800 2545 201.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team on amy.millar@randox.com or 028 9442 2413
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit Randox Health.
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15th May 2021: 13 million tests on the National Testing Programme
15TH MAY 2021: THE 13 MILLION MILESTONE
We are pleased to let you know that on 15th May 2021, Randox processed its 13 millionth sample within the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme.
That’s an incredible 13 million samples processed by our dedicated and talented staff.
Our staff are our best asset and have risen to the challenge this pandemic has created.
They have worked hard and flexibly, been creative and innovative, and pulled together as a team to make an impact in the fight against COVID-19.
We are very proud of their efforts and teamwork.
Let us once again say thank you to each and every member of Team Randox, for the efforts they have made.
What we do at Randox remains vital to the national and global management of COVID-19 and our work is making a real and positive difference.
We continue to work hard and improve, for the sake of our family, friends and communities.
For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com