Coronavirus testing to be ramped up to 25k a day and workers on the NHS frontline will be prioritised
Speaking during Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons today, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "NHS staff and those working in the care sector are on the front line of caring for patients suffering from coronavirus."They may not be obviously suffering from it but they could still be transmitting it and if they're ill or not, when they return on the front line, what effect it will have.
"So can the Prime Minister please explain why the Government isn't prioritising the testing of all health care staff, both those in the NHS and those doing such a vital job in the care sector?"Mr Johnson said: "Well in point of fact, we are prioritising testing of NHS staff for the obvious reason that we want them to be able to look after everybody else with confidence that they're not transmitting the disease and this country is actually far ahead of many other...
"We're increasing our tests from 5,000 to 10,000 a day and it may be of interest to the House to know that we are getting much closer to having a generally available test which will determine whether or not you have had the disease and that will truly be of huge benefit to this country in tackling the outbreak."
We are prioritising testing of NHS staff for the obvious reason that we want them to be able to look after everybody elseMr Corbyn said: "The World Health Organisation said test, test, test and we should be testing, I believe, on an industrial scale." He said 10,000 tests per day is "nowhere near even the number of people working in the NHS and the care sector", adding: "It is a massive undertaking and I wish there was a greater sense of urgency from the Government in getting this testing available for all staff.Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world - plus essential advice for you and your family.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Johnson plans to increase coronavirus tests to 25,000 a dayThis would put UK above rest of Europe – but unclear how quickly it would happen
Read more »
’London is NOT listening’ Boris Johnson promises new measures over coronavirus crisisBORIS JOHNSON was quizzed today over future coronavirus restrictions following the announcement of school closures today.
Read more »
Boris Johnson chairs cabinet as Rishi Sunak set to announce coronavirus financial rescue package - politics liveRolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Rishi Sunak at the government’s daily coronavirus press conference and MPs questioning the government’s chief scientific adviser
Read more »
Coronavirus: why are UK schools closing and what does it mean for parents?Boris Johnson announces change in policy as rate of infections increases faster than anticipated
Read more »
World’s first dog to have Covid-19 dies after beating virusThe Pomeranian tested negative for coronavirus on March 13, but died just three days later.
Read more »