10m Tests To Defeat Virus

Cutting-edge antibody checks out next week. Clinical trials of new on-the-spot swab test

- Macer Hall

Fresh hopes that Britain can beat coronavirus have been raised by the Government’s unveiling of double-whammy testing to hunt down the disease.

Ten million antibody tests to discover if people have had the virus – and could therefore be immune – will be rolled out on the NHS from next week.

And clinical trials of an on-the-spot swab to confirm within 20 minutes those who are currently infected will begin today.

Both measures should significantly bolster the Government’s efforts to help Britain safely emerge from lockdown, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

He also revealed that preliminary antibody testing showed that one in 20 Britons – and nearly one in six Londoners – had already had coronavirus. Mr Hancock said: “Our testing regime will be our guiding star – it’s the information that helps us to search out and defeat this virus.”

Speaking at the daily Downing Street press briefing, Mr Hancock also vowed to leave “no stone unturned” in the hunt for treatments to vanquish the killer bug.

The Government agreed deals with pharmaceutical firms Roche Diagnostics and Abbotts Laboratories yesterday to provide the 10 million antibody tests over the coming months.

NHS and care home staff will be first in the queue for the blood tests to help provide reassurance as they work with coronavirus patients.

People shown to have had the disease could even be given immunity certificates as there is some evidence they may not be able to catch it again. Mr. Hancock said: “I can announce today that we have signed contracts to supply in the coming months over 10 million tests from Roche and Abbott.