Health secretary Matt Hancock has announced that everyone over the age of 5 who has Coronavirus symptoms is eligible for a test in the UK.
We are doing well to carry out so many tests every day.
Over 100,000 tests were carried out in the uk yesterday, after speculation that we wouldn’t be able to consistently hit these targets. Amongst this news, it’s came out that testing capacities are being increased further, and anyone over 5 showing symptoms is eligible for a test.
“Every day we are creating more capacity and that means more people can be tested, and the virus has fewer places to hide,” the health secretary said.
“Today, I can announce to the House that everyone aged five and over with symptoms is now eligible for a test.
“That applies right across the UK in all four nations from now.”
Until now, tests had been exclusively offered to people with symptoms who are key workers, hospital patients, care home residents and those aged over-65 in England and Scotland. Some of those people who live with key workers were also able to get a test too.
In his speech, he also commented on news regarding the new official Coronavirus symptom; loss of taste and smell, saying: “From today, if you develop a continuous cough, or fever or anosmia you should immediately self-isolate for at least seven days in line with the guidelines. Members of your household should self-isolate for 14 days.”
We wrote about the new symptoms recognition earlier today, and you can read more about that by clicking here.
