Concerns are rising over a potential surge in Covid-19 cases, and the UK is already struggling to meet testing demands. With a backlog of about 185,000 tests to be processed, the FT looks into how and why things have gone so wrong ft.com/content/68efa1…
Matt Hancock, the UK’s health secretary, admitted that problems in laboratories were causing delays in the testing system. To resolve the issue he mentioned ‘bringing in more machines’, although he has not yet explained how or when this will happen ft.com/content/68efa1…
One explanation for the long delays in getting people tested for coronavirus is that some labs are struggling to secure enough staff with the right skills and reagents to carry out the necessary analyses, the co-chair of the NHS Assembly said ft.com/content/68efa1…
How will the backlog of Covid-19 tests affect society? The danger for NHS staff is having to isolate if they or a family member has symptoms, creating staffing gaps. Planned hospital treatment could also be delayed if patients are unable to get tested ft.com/content/68efa1…
The lack of Covid-19 tests available in the UK is a problem for recently reopened schools. Children in isolation haven’t been able to get tested. 'I could have a number of positive cases linked to my school and not know it,’ said one headteacher ft.com/content/68efa1…
Headteachers said full or partial school closures would be inevitable if the shortage of coronavirus tests continues in the UK. The delays in testing pose the risk of further spreading and difficulties for parents and carers if they have to isolate ft.com/content/68efa1…
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