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To those in the UK who think Johnson and this Government are interested in looking after your health, during this pandemic, please read this thread. #Covid19UK #Covid19testing #Covid19Strategy
11 March 2020
Govt is “rolling out a big expansion of testing” but declines to give a specific timetable. NHS England says there are plans to increase coronavirus testing to 10,000.
The UK-wide death toll stands at eight – 1,215 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK.
Govt is “rolling out a big expansion of testing” but declines to give a specific timetable. NHS England says there are plans to increase coronavirus testing to 10,000.
The UK-wide death toll stands at eight – 1,215 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK.
12 March 2020
The UK moves from the “contain” to the “delay” phase of its plan to tackle coronavirus. Boris Johnson announces that health workers will no longer test people for the virus in their homes, but will continue to test people already in hospitals.
The UK moves from the “contain” to the “delay” phase of its plan to tackle coronavirus. Boris Johnson announces that health workers will no longer test people for the virus in their homes, but will continue to test people already in hospitals.
16 March 2020
WHO says ‘test, test, test’
The WHO urges countries to “test, test, test”. 3,826 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK.
WHO says ‘test, test, test’
The WHO urges countries to “test, test, test”. 3,826 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK.
18 March
‘Test 25,000 a day’ – but no timetable
Boris Johnson announces the ambition of carrying out 25,000 tests a day, but provides no detail. 5,779 tests are carried out that day.
‘Test 25,000 a day’ – but no timetable
Boris Johnson announces the ambition of carrying out 25,000 tests a day, but provides no detail. 5,779 tests are carried out that day.
19 March 2020
‘Antibody tests coming soon’ – but no timetable
Boris Johnson says mass testing to see if people have already contracted the virus, and are probably therefore immune, will take place relatively soon, which he says would be a game-changer.
‘Antibody tests coming soon’ – but no timetable
Boris Johnson says mass testing to see if people have already contracted the virus, and are probably therefore immune, will take place relatively soon, which he says would be a game-changer.
The UK death toll from coronavirus stands at 144.
24 March 2020
‘UK has 3.5m antibody tests’ – but no timetable.
Government has bought 3.5m antibody tests, which can determine if someone has had coronavirus. Repeats that general testing will be ramped up, but with no timeframe for deployment. 6,491 tests are performed.
‘UK has 3.5m antibody tests’ – but no timetable.
Government has bought 3.5m antibody tests, which can determine if someone has had coronavirus. Repeats that general testing will be ramped up, but with no timeframe for deployment. 6,491 tests are performed.
25 March 2020
‘UK aiming for 250,000 tests a day’ – but no timetable.
Johnson tells the daily Downing Street press conference: “We are going up from 5,000 to 10,000 tests per day, to 25,000, hopefully very soon up to 250,000 per day.” 6,583 tests are carried out.
‘UK aiming for 250,000 tests a day’ – but no timetable.
Johnson tells the daily Downing Street press conference: “We are going up from 5,000 to 10,000 tests per day, to 25,000, hopefully very soon up to 250,000 per day.” 6,583 tests are carried out.
25 March 2020
‘Antibody tests within days’ – then denied
Director of the national infection service at PHE, says mass antibody testing in the UK will be possible within days. The government later takes a more cautious line, saying the tests will not be available so quickly.
‘Antibody tests within days’ – then denied
Director of the national infection service at PHE, says mass antibody testing in the UK will be possible within days. The government later takes a more cautious line, saying the tests will not be available so quickly.
27 March 2020
‘Dramatic increase planned’ – but no timetable
Governnent says hundreds of people will receive the tests over the weekend and that there will be a “dramatic” increase in testing the following week.
‘Dramatic increase planned’ – but no timetable
Governnent says hundreds of people will receive the tests over the weekend and that there will be a “dramatic” increase in testing the following week.
31 March 2020
‘Testing hampered by chemical shortage’
Chemical industry replies - No Shortage.
Only 8,240 people are tested on this day.
‘Testing hampered by chemical shortage’
Chemical industry replies - No Shortage.
Only 8,240 people are tested on this day.
1 April 2020
Ministers admit only 0.4% of NHS staff have been tested
Despite its 27 March announcement, Downing Street confirms that only 2,000 people out of 500,000 frontline NHS England workers had been tested for coronavirus so far.
Ministers admit only 0.4% of NHS staff have been tested
Despite its 27 March announcement, Downing Street confirms that only 2,000 people out of 500,000 frontline NHS England workers had been tested for coronavirus so far.
1 April 2020
Public Health England appears to confirm that the UK’s strategy is now to increase testing for the virus in the general population.
A total of 9,793 tests are carried out.
Public Health England appears to confirm that the UK’s strategy is now to increase testing for the virus in the general population.
A total of 9,793 tests are carried out.
2 April 2020
Government sets new target – and admits 3.5m antibody tests don’t work
Testing passes 10,000 a day for the first time since the start of the crisis, with 10,215 carried out.
Government sets new target – and admits 3.5m antibody tests don’t work
Testing passes 10,000 a day for the first time since the start of the crisis, with 10,215 carried out.
A new government target of 100,000 tests a day by the end of April – including both antibody and antigen tests. The UK wants to buy 17.5m antibody tests, “subject to them working”, early tests had been “poor”.
None of the 3.5m tests bought by the government – and announced on 24 March – have been found to work so far.
3 April 2020
100,000 target clarified
Government says that the prime minister’s 25 March commitment to get to 250,000 tests a day “still stands”, but that he wanted to “put a very clear timeline” on the goal to get to 100,000 by the end of the month.
100,000 target clarified
Government says that the prime minister’s 25 March commitment to get to 250,000 tests a day “still stands”, but that he wanted to “put a very clear timeline” on the goal to get to 100,000 by the end of the month.
He says it is “frustrating” that the first antibody tests have not worked. The prime minister’s spokesman is forced to clarify that the 100,000 target is for England only.
5 April 2020
12,334 test carried out.
9 April 2020
13,543 tests carried out
At this rate, UK will not hit 100,000 by end of 2020.
I'll wish you all good luck for the future!!
There's an election in 2024.
12,334 test carried out.
9 April 2020
13,543 tests carried out
At this rate, UK will not hit 100,000 by end of 2020.
I'll wish you all good luck for the future!!
There's an election in 2024.
