It has been revealed that over 10 million workers and their households are eligible for coronavirus tests.
There have been statements that suggest over 100,000 tests will be carried out in the next week, but this will not be easy to achieve. But according to Mr Hancock the health secretary, it will, with him saying the capacity for carrying outtests was now “ahead of our plans”, with the ability to carry out more than 50,000tests a day.
“Because capacity has now increased so substantially, we are now able to expand who can get thetests,” he said.
“Our ultimate goal is that everyone who could benefit from atestgets atest.”
He continued: “It’s all part of getting Britain back on her feet.”
So, who is eligible?
Eligible people include those who live in the household of essential workers, (nhs staff, public services staff etc), but only those who are showing symptoms will be able to be tested. Remember, the main symptoms are a new persistent dry cough and a fever, but there are many more associated with the virus. Check the nhs website for more info.
The reason people are being tested is simple: if you’re off work with symptoms but test negative for the virus, it allows you to get back to work. It also allows those who’s job it is to do so, to track the spread and possibly contact those you’ve been in contact with; say you do test positive.
The test involves a swap of the throat the goes quite far back, so be prepared, and tests from home or a drive through centre are both available.
