Isoated sars cov 2

Summary

The requester asked for records describing the isolation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly from symptomatic patients without genetic material contamination. Manx Care responded that the information is not held because they do not perform virus isolation procedures.

Key Facts

• The request was made to Manx Care on 2021-06-28.
• The authority determined the information was not held.
• Manx Care explicitly stated they do not isolate the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
• The refusal was based on Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015.
• The response was issued on 2021-07-26.

Data Disclosed

• 1873690
• 2021-06-28
• 2021-07-26
• Section 11(3)a
• IM4 4R

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information not held)

Original Request

"A full, complete and accurate set of records that the department of health or IOM NHS or GP surgeries may hold which describe the 'isolation' of SARS-COV-2 virus(coronavirus covid-19), taken directly from a symptomatic patient with covid-19, where the sample was not combined with any other genetic material (such as monkey, kidney or cancer cells.). Thereby eliminating the chance of contamination and a possible other source of sampling? Pls note that the word 'isolation' is used here in the normally understood meaning of that word, namely, the act of separating one thing from another. I am not referring to (and hence not requesting) documents where isolation means the preparation of a culture of something else, the performance of an amplification test (eg PCR test which ONLY detects mRNA or DNA) or to the sequencing of anything other than the viral isolate in question.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Care Noble’s Hospital, Strang Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4R (01624) 650 000

Our ref: 1873690 26th July 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 28 June 2021 and which states:

""A full, complete and accurate set of records that the department of health or IOM NHS or GP surgeries may hold which describe the 'isolation' of SARS-COV-2 virus(coronavirus covid-19), taken directly from a symptomatic patient with covid-19, where the sample was not combined with any other genetic material (such as monkey, kidney or cancer cells.). Thereby eliminating the chance of contamination and a possible other source of sampling? Pls note that the word 'isolation' is used here in the normally understood meaning of that word, namely, the act of separating one thing from another. I am not referring to (and hence not requesting) documents where isolation means the preparation of a culture of something else, the performance of an amplification test (eg PCR test which ONLY detects mRNA or DNA) or to the sequencing of anything other than the viral isolate in question."

Our Response While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Manx Care is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. In this case, we do not isolate the SARS-COV-2 virus so do not hold any information on this. Please quote the reference number 1873690 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.