Face of Nation International : Health officials must abandon strict production rules that are hampering the introduction of mass testing for coronavirus, scientists warned on Wednesday, after the government admitted that just 2,000 of half a million frontline NHS staff have been tested to date.
Procedures drawn up by Public Health England describe the precise chemicals and equipment that must be used to test patients. But with specific reagents in short supply, senior researchers told the Guardian that the UK must find alternatives to avoid more delays, with one arguing: “These are not normal times.” Their plea came as the prime minister was forced to address mounting anger about the government’s failure to increase testing, just weeks after it had appeared to rule out such a strategy. Ministers have been consistently flummoxed by questions on the issue.
In a video message posted on Twitter on Wednesday evening, Boris Johnson said the country need to “massively ramp up” the two separate tests that show whether people have, or have had, the disease. “It’s crucial people who do have the disease are able to be tested positive and to take the necessary steps to isolate at home in the way that I am doing and many, many others are doing,” he said.
The UK’s poor testing figures compared with other nations have caused a huge political backlash, with critics asking why the government is both failing to source the right equipment and refusing to agree to expand testing to the general population.
Only around 8,000 hospital patients and NHS staff are being tested daily – well short of the government’s targets and far below the 70,000 a day achieved in Germany. In total, just 2,000 NHS workers – or 0.4% of those being exposed to the virus – have been tested so far, meaning thousands in isolation cannot get back to work. (Source : The Guardian News – UK)
