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1/3. On 13 March, @Channel4News reported on a new rapid #coronavirus testing kit - made in the UK - that diagnoses #coronavirus in 10 minutes!

They aren't available in the UK yet.

#NHS staff can't get tested.

But this report shows test kits being sent to Bahrain. #covidー19
2/3. It seems utterly bizarre that boxes of rapid #Covid19 test kits are being exported around the world, whilst frontline #NHS staff have to risk their health without PPE or tests.

It would be great if @cathynewman & #C4News could ask @MattHancock what the logic is behind this.
3/3. Watching this the govt's U-turn is very stark.

"As the WHO urges countries to step up testing for #coronavirus, the UK appears to be adopting a different approach. Ystdy (12/3) it said it would only test people in hospital." #Covid19 #Corona #Covid
4/3. Just to be clear, I have no criticism of the UK company for exporting the #coronavirus tests or Bahrain for buying them.

My question is why isn’t @MattHancock buying them ALL?

TESTS per million population:

1,031 - UK
14,792 - Bahrain
30,000 - Iceland
#Covid19 #COVIDー19
5/3. Ystdy, @MattHancock told #C4News UK policy on #COVID19 testing hadn’t changed.

This is NOT TRUE.

Testing began in March & was abandoned on 12/3. The govt then denied abandoning it (16/3), then readopted it (20/3) with the PM claiming 250K tests/day!
6/3. Today, @vicderbyshire spoke to the director of a UK company that makes protective equipment (PPE) who said they’re exporting all over the world but haven’t had orders from the UK.

They offered their services to the govt but were turned down. #coronavirus #covid19UK #COVID19
7/3. This TWO PART film shows
PPE given to healthcare workers in China.

A NHS nurse who has to share masks & filters told @gmb: “Matt Hancock and this government had four months to prepare for this. China had less than a week."
8/3. @nora17 writes: “This is my husband, Dr Firas Majeed, who is working in a #Covid19 ward and about to examine a patient dying from #Coronavirus.

Look at this rubbish he is wearing!

It’s disgraceful!

Even doctors dealing directly with dying patients don’t have proper PPE.”
9/3. CEO of a ventilator manufacturer, interviewed by @maitlis.

EM: “You got in touch with the govt offering to make #Covid19 ventilators weeks ago. What happened then?”

CEO: “Nothing.”

He says govt should have funded EXISTING ventilator manufacturers.
10/3. The NHS says we need 25,000 ventilators

A month ago, we had 5,900

A week ago, @MattHancock claimed we had 12,000

This week govt confirmed we have 8,175

Airbus & Dyson are starting to build

As with testing, all govt ministers say is “RAMPING UP”.
11/3. A week ago, @BorisJohnson said we would “ramp up” #COVID19 testing from 5,000 tests/day to “250,000” (!)

He repeated 250,000 again yesterday.

Currently, the UK is only testing around 5,000 people per day &
NHS staff aren’t getting properly tested.
12/3. It is possible to “ramp up” #COVID19 testing.

Spain, for eg, will receive 250,000 quick #coronavirus tests next week!

But the govt needs to buy tests & they’re in very high demand.

Are UK companies still exporting tests? Can we use them in UK yet? elpuntavui.cat/societat/artic…
13/3. “Those boxes are packed & ready to be shipped to Bahrain. Inside are thousands of 10 minute self-testing kits for #covid19.”

A UK company has been making #coronavirus rapid test kits & exporting them around the world. They weren’t being used in UK.
14/3. The govt first said it didn’t join a EU scheme to procure vital medical equipment, including ventilators because of Brexit.

Then they blamed an "administrative error".

But this shows @MattHancock knew about it last week. #COVID19 #COVID2019 #bbcqt
15/3. “No.10 is claiming they didn’t get the email on time. WHAT?!” @KayBurley

@AlokSharma_RDG claims a "miscommunication" saw the UK miss out on EU scheme to buy ventilators.

BUT 8 days ago @MattHancock said “We are invited” to be part of the scheme!
16/3. On 19 March, the PM said: “We're ramping up daily testing from 5,000 a day, to 10,000 to 25,000 & then up at 250,000.”

The UK is STILL only doing 6,500 per day & testing for frontline NHS staff won't even START til next week.
#COVID19 #coronavirus #Covid_19 #CoronaUpdate
17/3.

Q. Why aren’t NHS staff getting #COVID19 tests?
A. We’re ramping up!

Q. Why isn’t there PPE?
A. We’re ramping up!

Q. Why didn’t you join EU ventilator procurement scheme?
A. The dog ate the application.

Q. Whose idea was the #HerdImmunity strategy?
A. Never heard of it.
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