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Mass coronavirus testing promised for all tier three areas
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UK testing
The army will be involved in the rollout, which will also use rapid testing (Picture: PA)
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Harrison Jones
Sunday 22 Nov 2020 10:30 pm
Boris Johnson is set to promise a major testing scheme for all of the areas forced into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions when England returns to a tiered system next month.
The Prime Minister will say on Monday that areas of the country under tier three will be given military support and rapid testing, much like that seen in Liverpool, when the national lockdown ends on December 2.
His intervention comes as the Government announced that families will be allowed to mix over Christmas, as part of a ‘limited household bubbling’ plan which will be finalised next week.
It is also thought that the pledge is designed to help head off a Tory rebellion over the revised tier system, which is expected to bring in harsher restrictions than those England was living under before lockdown. Some Conservative MPs and local leaders are sceptical about backing Mr Johnson’s ‘Covid winter plan’, though it is likely to pass through Parliament easily if Labour backs it.
Visit our live blog for the latest updates Coronavirus news live
The PM is expected to tell MPs on Monday: ‘In England, where nationwide measures came into effect at the start of this month, the increase in new cases is flattening off.
‘But we are not out of the woods yet. The virus is still present in communities across the country, and remains both far more infectious and far more deadly than seasonal flu.’
He is set to lay out his plans, including the extension of the pilot testing scheme seen in Liverpool, in a House of Commons statement.
Mr Johnson will add: ’But with expansion in testing and vaccines edging closer to deployment, the regional tiered system will help get the virus back under control and keep it there.’
Soldiers set up at the Liverpool Tennis Centre in Wavertree, ahead of the start of mass Covid-19 testing in Liverpool.
Soldiers helped with the pilot scheme in Liverpool (Picture: PA)
The testing programme, which will include targeted testing in the highest risk areas, will use lateral flow tests that can produce results in as little as 30 minutes.
Public Health England director Dr Susan Hopkins said the pilot in Liverpool detected 700 cases that would not otherwise have been traced in the 10-day period.
It is not yet known what areas are destined for tier three, but ministers are preparing to reveal that on Thursday.
Downing Street has said more areas are likely to be included in the higher tiers to preserve the progress in halting the virus’ spread during the lockdown.
Mr Johnson will also announce a trial of the repeat testing of close contacts of those who test positive for Covid-19 to prevent them from having to isolate.
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The contacts will get the opportunity to be tested every day for a week and will not have to quarantine unless they test positive.
Downing Street said that pilot will begin in Liverpool on Monday.
If it is successful, a wider rollout is planned across the NHS and care homes in December before being introduced nationwide from January.
The plans are backed by an extra £7 billion, taking the overall funding given to the test and trace scheme this year to £22 billion, No 10 said.
Additional testing plans include for all staff working in food manufacturing, prisons and the vaccine programme to be offered weekly testing from next month.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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Mass coronavirus testing promised for all tier three areas
Comment
UK testing
The army will be involved in the rollout, which will also use rapid testing (Picture: PA)
Share this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via whatsapp
Author image
Harrison Jones
Sunday 22 Nov 2020 10:30 pm
Boris Johnson is set to promise a major testing scheme for all of the areas forced into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions when England returns to a tiered system next month.
The Prime Minister will say on Monday that areas of the country under tier three will be given military support and rapid testing, much like that seen in Liverpool, when the national lockdown ends on December 2.
His intervention comes as the Government announced that families will be allowed to mix over Christmas, as part of a ‘limited household bubbling’ plan which will be finalised next week.
It is also thought that the pledge is designed to help head off a Tory rebellion over the revised tier system, which is expected to bring in harsher restrictions than those England was living under before lockdown. Some Conservative MPs and local leaders are sceptical about backing Mr Johnson’s ‘Covid winter plan’, though it is likely to pass through Parliament easily if Labour backs it.
Visit our live blog for the latest updates Coronavirus news live
The PM is expected to tell MPs on Monday: ‘In England, where nationwide measures came into effect at the start of this month, the increase in new cases is flattening off.
‘But we are not out of the woods yet. The virus is still present in communities across the country, and remains both far more infectious and far more deadly than seasonal flu.’
He is set to lay out his plans, including the extension of the pilot testing scheme seen in Liverpool, in a House of Commons statement.
Mr Johnson will add: ’But with expansion in testing and vaccines edging closer to deployment, the regional tiered system will help get the virus back under control and keep it there.’
Soldiers set up at the Liverpool Tennis Centre in Wavertree, ahead of the start of mass Covid-19 testing in Liverpool.
Soldiers helped with the pilot scheme in Liverpool (Picture: PA)
The testing programme, which will include targeted testing in the highest risk areas, will use lateral flow tests that can produce results in as little as 30 minutes.
Public Health England director Dr Susan Hopkins said the pilot in Liverpool detected 700 cases that would not otherwise have been traced in the 10-day period.
It is not yet known what areas are destined for tier three, but ministers are preparing to reveal that on Thursday.
Downing Street has said more areas are likely to be included in the higher tiers to preserve the progress in halting the virus’ spread during the lockdown.
Mr Johnson will also announce a trial of the repeat testing of close contacts of those who test positive for Covid-19 to prevent them from having to isolate.
MORE: CORONAVIRUS
zone post image for post 13634675
Shocking footage shows staff collapse and have seizures making PPE for NHS
The contacts will get the opportunity to be tested every day for a week and will not have to quarantine unless they test positive.
Downing Street said that pilot will begin in Liverpool on Monday.
If it is successful, a wider rollout is planned across the NHS and care homes in December before being introduced nationwide from January.
The plans are backed by an extra £7 billion, taking the overall funding given to the test and trace scheme this year to £22 billion, No 10 said.
Additional testing plans include for all staff working in food manufacturing, prisons and the vaccine programme to be offered weekly testing from next month.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE : Millions drinking more heavily due to coronavirus pandemic
SIGN UP FOR
NEWS UPDATES
Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more
Enter your email to sign up…
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Not convinced? Find out more »
Share this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via whatsapp
WHAT'S TRENDING NOW
UK could see mass vaccinations by summer, SAGE scientist says
UK could see mass vaccinations by summer, SAGE scientist says
Covid Christmas to go ahead with ‘limited household bubbling’
Covid Christmas to go ahead with ‘limited household bubbling’
Millions drinking more heavily due to coronavirus pandemic
Millions drinking more heavily due to coronavirus pandemic
Brits could get ‘freedom passes’ after two negative Covid tests
Brits could get ‘freedom passes’ after two negative Covid tests
Woman mauled by police dog at illegal rave left with ‘life-changing’ injuries
Woman mauled by police dog at illegal rave left with ‘life-changing’ injuries
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
MORE STORIES
MetroUK @MetroUK
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