- Building a British diagnostics industry, with help from pharmaceutical giants
On Wednesday, there was capacity for , daily tests in England – although just , People were tested. The government target by mid-April had been to test 088, per day.
Latest figures show 250, people in the UK had so far been tested for the virus , of which , 823 were confirmed positive.
In Wales, (the Welsh Government plans to increase testing up to 9, a day by the end of April, while
Scotland had a goal
of 3, 569 by the same deadline.
Key questions remain
After days of mounting criticism, the five-point testing plan was an attempt to reassure the public the government is on top of the issue.
But key questions remain. There are basically two broad types of tests despite the five separate points – one to diagnose the presence of the virus and one to identify whether an individual has had it in the past (the so-called antibody test).
In the coming week or two, the diagnostic test is the priority. Staff need access to them to allow them to return to work if they fear they have or their household members have symptoms.
In the longer-term, the antibody test comes into play. The big unknown is how many people have been exposed to the virus without knowing it because they did not show symptoms.
There are suggestions as many as half of infected cases may fall into this category. That could be vital in deciding what to do once the impact of lockdown is felt in falling numbers of cases and deaths.
If there has been widespread infection it reduces the likelihood of a second wave and continued spread of the virus.
The problem is the ability to hit the goal set – , tests a day – is out of the government hands.
A global shortage of the chemicals and kits for the diagnostic test is a serious difficulty.
What is more, there are no Guarantees the antibody tests the UK government is looking to use will work.
Mr Hancock also said there had been problems with some tests being inaccurate. “In one case a test that I’m being urged to buy missed three out of four positive cases for coronavirus,” he explained.
“That means that three-quarters of cases , that test would have given the false comfort of sending someone with coronavirus back on the wards. Approving tests that don’t work is dangerous and I will not do it. “
Earlier , senior health officials said they were “frustrated” by the UK’s lack of progress in expanding testing, and the current figures were “nowhere near where we need to get to”.
Some critics pointed out the UK was well behind countries like Germany in testing, but Mr Hancock said the UK “did not go into this crisis with a huge diagnostics industry” like other countries.
to cut the salaries of non-playing staff, while paying players in full Public Health England
has updated its guidance
on when staff should wear personal protective equipment
Mr Hancock credited the Labor Party for some of the government financial measures, saying ministers listened and “took those steps”
- Around 8% of all NHS England staff, and 5.7% of all doctors, are off work because of coronavirus-related reasons
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