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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
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.
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
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1239500507045154818
"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
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1239500507045154818
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
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! https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105
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! https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1236697752706351105
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
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."
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888
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."
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1242724948965285888
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.”
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.
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”.
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. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1240699791308255232?s=21
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. https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1240699791308255232?s=21
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? http://www.elpuntavui.cat/societat/article/14-salut/1764557-salut-preveu-rebre-250-000-tests-rapids-les-setmanes-vinents.html
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? http://www.elpuntavui.cat/societat/article/14-salut/1764557-salut-preveu-rebre-250-000-tests-rapids-les-setmanes-vinents.html
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.
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
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!
@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
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.
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.
18/3. The CEO of the #COVID19 testing company featured in the @Channel4News investigation 
says that only the first shipment of their rapid #coronavirus tests was sent to Bahrain & now there is no shipping outside the UK.
He also says there have been “no govt purchases yet.”
says that only the first shipment of their rapid #coronavirus tests was sent to Bahrain & now there is no shipping outside the UK.He also says there have been “no govt purchases yet.”
19/3. GOOD NEWS: Stories about
shortages of ventilators & lack of PPE for #NHS staff will soon be a thing of the past.
THE BAD NEWS: That’s because
staff will be subject to disciplinary action if they raise concerns with the media. #coronavirus #COVID19 https://www.union-news.co.uk/gma-stands-with-nhs-workers-face-te-sack-for-blowing-the-whistle-on-governments-coronavirus-failings/
shortages of ventilators & lack of PPE for #NHS staff will soon be a thing of the past.
THE BAD NEWS: That’s because
staff will be subject to disciplinary action if they raise concerns with the media. #coronavirus #COVID19 https://www.union-news.co.uk/gma-stands-with-nhs-workers-face-te-sack-for-blowing-the-whistle-on-governments-coronavirus-failings/
20/3. I spoke with a doctor in South Africa, a country that acted swiftly to combat #COVID19.
They’ve been on total lockdown for weeks & take testing seriously.
The Nkosi Albert Luthuli hospital in Durban is doing as many tests per day as the ENTIRE UK!
They’ve had 11 deaths.
They’ve been on total lockdown for weeks & take testing seriously.
The Nkosi Albert Luthuli hospital in Durban is doing as many tests per day as the ENTIRE UK!
They’ve had 11 deaths.
South Africa will reportedly be testing 37,000 people per day by the end of this week - almost 4 times as many as the UK.
The UK govt’s testing chief admitted ystdy that none of the 3.5 million antibody tests ordered from China are fit for widespread use. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-test-antibody-kit-uk-china-nhs-matt-hancock-a9449816.html
The UK govt’s testing chief admitted ystdy that none of the 3.5 million antibody tests ordered from China are fit for widespread use. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-test-antibody-kit-uk-china-nhs-matt-hancock-a9449816.html
The counties that followed @WHO advice seem to have avoided the ravages of #COVID19.
New Zealand has only had one fatality
Vietnam hasn’t had a single death from #coronavirus among its 96 million people.
Act quickly
Test
Trace
Identify
Isolate
New Zealand has only had one fatality
Vietnam hasn’t had a single death from #coronavirus among its 96 million people.
Act quicklyTestTraceIdentify Isolate
