Britain To Invest in Expansion Of Rapid Covid-19 Test Trials Amid Criticism Over Testing Backlog
4 years, 4 months ago

Britain To Invest in Expansion Of Rapid Covid-19 Test Trials Amid Criticism Over Testing Backlog

News 18  

LONDON: Britain on Thursday said it was investing to develop rapid COVID-19 tests, with a view to soon rolling out widespread, systematic testing to pick up outbreaks early, amid criticism over backlogs in its current testing system. The health ministry said it would put 500 million pounds into trials of rapid COVID-19 tests and into population-testing for the disease. Health minister Matt Hancock has said he hopes mass testing using faster COVID-19 tests can be rolled out towards the end of the year, adding that they are key to restoring freedoms after months of COVID-19 restrictions. We’re starting the roll out today.” The funding will be used to expand existing trials of saliva tests and a rapid 20-minute test in southern England, while a new, community trial in Salford, northwest England, will assess the benefit of population-testing, under which people are regularly tested regardless of whether they have symptoms, so that any cases can be picked up before they have spread widely.

Test Tests Testing  trials  criticism  tests  months  covid19  symptoms  told  test  invest  rapid  populationtesting  backlog  testing  britain  expansion

History of this topic

No extra money for Long Covid research will "set patients back"
1 month ago

No extra money for Long Covid research will "set patients back"

Dutch News  

Patient organisations have said they are worried MPs will vote against a €21 million investment in clinical research into Long Covid symptoms on Thursday. PostCovidNL and Long Covid Nederland said the additional money is needed to provide a scientific base for treatment with existing medications which can alleviate the symptoms of some 500,000 sufferers in the short term. But PostCovid …

Free COVID tests are back. Here's how to order a test to your home
3 months, 1 week ago

Free COVID tests are back. Here's how to order a test to your home

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Americans can once again order …

The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them
3 months, 1 week ago

The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans can once again order COVID-19 tests, without being charged, sent straight to their homes. The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine and their yearly flu shot. U.S. regulators approved …

Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — On the heels of a summer wave of COVID-19 cases, Americans will be able to get free virus test kits mailed to their homes, starting in late September. U.S. households will be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests when the federal program reopens, according to the website, COVIDtests.gov. The announcement also comes as the …

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns
5 months ago

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A top official said the number of people testing positive for Covid across 84 countries …

Ensure Covid Tools in Hospital: Min.
1 year ago

Ensure Covid Tools in Hospital: Min.

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: Health minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha on Saturday directed health authorities to inspect the functioning of ventilators in various hospitals and ordered the immediate utilisation of oxygen concentrators for treatment. During a comprehensive review of Covid-19 control measures in the backdrop of cases rising again, Rajanarasimha emphasised the swift restoration of PSA plants in hospitals that are facing oxygen shortage. …

More free COVID-19 tests from the government are available for home delivery through the mail
1 year, 1 month ago

More free COVID-19 tests from the government are available for home delivery through the mail

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans can order more free COVID-19 tests online for home delivery. The U.S. government is offering to send another round of four at-home virus tests ahead of the typical surge in cases during the winter holiday season. The new release of free COVID-19 nasal swab tests also comes ahead of the first winter since the pandemic started that …

Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England remain lower than last year
1 year, 1 month ago

Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England remain lower than last year

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Flu and Covid-19 hospital admissions in England have fallen and …

COVID returns? Hospitalisation hits record high in THIS country | DEETS INSIDE
1 year, 2 months ago

COVID returns? Hospitalisation hits record high in THIS country | DEETS INSIDE

India TV News  

As winter approaches, health authorities in the United Kingdom have issued a warning for its citizens to prepare for another wave of COVID-19. UK Health Security Agency has claimed that the cases will 'further increase' as the season progresses, along with other 'winter respiratory viruses like flu'. As we enter the colder months and people begin to mix more indoors, …

Biden government to deliver free COVID tests again to US households
1 year, 3 months ago

Biden government to deliver free COVID tests again to US households

Live Mint  

The US Department of Health and Human Services said on September 20 that it will deliver COVID-19 tests for free to households across the country, reported Reuters. The health agency said that starting from September 25, households will again have the option to request four free tests via COVIDTests.gov. The HHS further said that these tests are designed to identify …

Covid-19: US households will be able to order more free tests starting Monday
1 year, 3 months ago

Covid-19: US households will be able to order more free tests starting Monday

CNN  

CNN — The US government will relaunch a program to provide free Covid-19 home tests to Americans, US Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday. Becerra said HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response “has been resupplying our stockpile.” The tests coming available soon are intended for use through the end of 2023 and will include instructions on how …

U.S. announces $600 million to produce COVID tests and will reopen website for orders
1 year, 3 months ago

U.S. announces $600 million to produce COVID tests and will reopen website for orders

LA Times  

The Biden administration is providing $600 million to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is resurrecting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up …

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief
1 year, 4 months ago

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief

The Hindu  

Warning that many countries aren’t testing enough and that new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants may emerge, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, on Wednesday said that testing and being vigilant is vital in continuing the fight against COVID-19. “While COVID is now behind us and India did its best during the time, we can expect new and more …

Fast-spreading new coronavirus strain dubbed ‘variant of interest’
1 year, 4 months ago

Fast-spreading new coronavirus strain dubbed ‘variant of interest’

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The World Health Organisation has classified a fast-spreading coronavirus strain circulating …

England rolls out spring Covid-19 booster shots for vulnerable groups
1 year, 9 months ago

England rolls out spring Covid-19 booster shots for vulnerable groups

Firstpost  

The National Health Service said others eligible can book in on the UK’s National Booking Service or the NHS App from next Wednesday, with the first appointments available from April 17 London: Around five million people in England will be eligible for a spring Covid-19 booster vaccine, including over 75-year-olds, those with a weakened immune system, and care home residents, …

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states
1 year, 9 months ago

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states

Hindustan Times  

The Union government on Saturday directed states to increase testing for Covid-19 as per the World Health Organization’s guidelines to effectively check any increase in its spread, people familiar with the matter said. “In the past several weeks, in some states Covid-19 testing has declined and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO,” …

Health ministry directs states to accelerate the pace of Covid-19 testing
1 year, 9 months ago

Health ministry directs states to accelerate the pace of Covid-19 testing

Live Mint  

NEW DELHI: With the spike in Covid and influenza cases across the country, the Central government has directed all the states and union territories to accelerate the pace of Covid-19 testing as a declining trend has been noticed in some states. In a joint advisory issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research and health ministry, “ln the past several …

COVID-19 tests down, need to be scaled up, says government
1 year, 9 months ago

COVID-19 tests down, need to be scaled up, says government

The Hindu  

The Health Ministry on Saturday warned that at a time when the country was registering a sustained increase in the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in some States, COVID-19 testing had declined. In its advisory, the Ministry said that testing at the level of districts and blocks also varied, with some States heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests. …

Final Covid-19 data shows infections in England highest since start of year
1 year, 9 months ago

Final Covid-19 data shows infections in England highest since start of year

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The final official estimates of Covid-19 in the UK show …

Rise in Viral Infection: Private Hospitals, Labs Offering Flu Testing Packages to Avoid Repeat Examination
1 year, 9 months ago

Rise in Viral Infection: Private Hospitals, Labs Offering Flu Testing Packages to Avoid Repeat Examination

News 18  

Amid a spurt in COVID-19 cases, influenza and other respiratory infections in the national capital, private hospitals and laboratories are offering comprehensive packages to eliminate the need for repeated testing. “Taking into account the significant increase in viral infections in the city, we have launched a multiplex PCR-based comprehensive flu panel which comprises 17 pathogens, including all common viruses such …

‘Jewel in the crown’ Covid-19 infection survey bows out
1 year, 9 months ago

‘Jewel in the crown’ Covid-19 infection survey bows out

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The long-running coronavirus infection survey, dubbed the “envy of the world” for its success …

Covid-19: This state approves pricing of RTPCR, Antigen tests in private centres
2 years ago

Covid-19: This state approves pricing of RTPCR, Antigen tests in private centres

Live Mint  

The Uttar Pradesh government on 29 December approved the cost of Covid-19 tests, including the Antigen, and RTPCR tests in private centres in the state. Earlier on Thursday, Union Health Ministry said that all international passengers travelling from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand to India will have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR tests before departure and upload …

Hospitals should stop mass testing for Covid, says influential panel of infectious disease experts
2 years ago

Hospitals should stop mass testing for Covid, says influential panel of infectious disease experts

Daily Mail  

An influential panel of infectious disease experts recommended hospitals stop testing all new admissions for Covid, which they argue is coming at too high a cost for patients and providers. An influential panel of experts, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, are now discouraging hospitals from burdensome testing which adds to hospital wait times and crowding as well as the …

Centre\'s COVID review meeting today amid spurt in cases in US, China
2 years ago

Centre\'s COVID review meeting today amid spurt in cases in US, China

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will review the COVID-19 situation on Wednesday in view of a fresh spurt in cases in some countries such as Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China and the US, official sources said. Meanwhile, the Union health ministry on Tuesday urged all states and union territories to ramp up the whole genome sequencing of positive …

Covid cases in UK are rising again: 1 in 35 people in England now infected
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid cases in UK are rising again: 1 in 35 people in England now infected

Hindustan Times  

Coronavirus cases are rising in the UK with infections increasing in all regions in England in the last week, except the northeast, Sky News reported quoting government experts. This marks the fourth consecutive increase in infections in England as the estimated number of people testing positive for Covid was 1,513,700, equating to 2.78 per cent of the population. "Infections have …

Covid cases surge across UK again as one in 35 people in England now has virus
2 years, 2 months ago

Covid cases surge across UK again as one in 35 people in England now has virus

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In England, the estimated number of people testing positive was …

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week
2 years, 5 months ago

Covid cases jump by 800,000 in a week

The Telegraph  

Covid-19 infections in the UK have jumped by nearly 800,000 in a week, with some parts of the country nearing the record levels seen during the spring. This is the highest estimate for total infections since mid-April, but is still below the record of 4.9 million seen at the peak of the omicron BA.2 wave at the end of March. …

Covid hospital patients in England up by 37 per cent
2 years, 6 months ago

Covid hospital patients in England up by 37 per cent

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hospital beds taken up by Covid patients have surged by 37 …

Covid cases in England rise for first time since end of MARCH
2 years, 6 months ago

Covid cases in England rise for first time since end of MARCH

Daily Mail  

England’s Covid outbreak has risen in size for the first time since March, according to official figures that have prompted doom-mongering experts to warn the next wave is on its way. Office for National Statistics statisticians estimate 797,500 people in England had Covid each day during the week ending June 2 Separate figures today show recent fall in the number …

‘Brutal’ NHS pressures stop Covid testing
2 years, 8 months ago

‘Brutal’ NHS pressures stop Covid testing

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Overstretched hospitals are stopping routine Covid tests for new patients as …

Community diagnostic centres deliver more than 700,000 additional tests
2 years, 9 months ago

Community diagnostic centres deliver more than 700,000 additional tests

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy England’s new community diagnostic centres have already delivered more than …

UK hits record COVID-19 levels; nearly 5 million infected
2 years, 9 months ago

UK hits record COVID-19 levels; nearly 5 million infected

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Experts worry about how US will see next Covid-19 surge coming
2 years, 9 months ago

Experts worry about how US will see next Covid-19 surge coming

India Today  

As coronavirus infections rise in some parts of the world, experts are watching for a potential new COVID-19 surge in the U.S. — and wondering how long it will take to detect. Despite disease monitoring improvements over the last two years, they say, some recent developments don’t bode well: —As more people take rapid COVID-19 tests at home, fewer people …

Scientists fear U.K. is easing coronavirus testing and monitoring too soon
2 years, 9 months ago

Scientists fear U.K. is easing coronavirus testing and monitoring too soon

LA Times  

A lab assistant points at charts of a sequenced coronavirus sample at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England. Britain is now ending some testing and monitoring programs, a move some scientists fear will complicate efforts to track the virus and detect worrisome new variants. After dropping nearly all coronavirus restrictions last month, Britain is now ending some of its most …

$2.1 billion health package to target COVID-19 and flu spike expected this winter
2 years, 9 months ago

$2.1 billion health package to target COVID-19 and flu spike expected this winter

ABC  

An extra $2.1 billion will be provided by the federal government amid concerns of rising COVID-19 cases and an expected spike in influenza over winter. Key points: The money will be spent on a number of programs, including extending free rapid tests to concession card holders People are being encouraged to get the influenza vaccine when it becomes available The …

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice
2 years, 9 months ago

At long last, WHO issues coronavirus testing advice

LA Times  

A woman is tested for a coronavirus infection at the Lenasia South Hospital near Johannesburg in South Africa. The advice comes months after critics said the lack of recommendations from the global health agency was compromising efforts to stop the pandemic in poor countries. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency was concerned …

White House launches ‘test to treat’ COVID-19 initiative, plan toward greater normality
2 years, 10 months ago

White House launches ‘test to treat’ COVID-19 initiative, plan toward greater normality

LA Times  

Beginning this month, Americans will be able to head to their local pharmacy for a coronavirus test and, if they test positive, receive antiviral pills on the spot, at no cost to them. President Biden announced the launch of the “test to treat” initiative during Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address as he emphasized the country’s progress in battling …

'Learn to live with this virus': Boris Johnson scraps Covid restrictions in UK
2 years, 10 months ago

'Learn to live with this virus': Boris Johnson scraps Covid restrictions in UK

India Today  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said he would end all coronavirus restrictions in England including mandatory self-isolation for people with Covid-19 and free testing, drawing scepticism from some scientists and political opponents. Johnson said that the legal requirement to self-isolate for people who test positive for Covid would be removed on Feb. 24 while free universal testing would …

Free Covid tests are set to STAY for over-80s and most vulnerable
2 years, 10 months ago

Free Covid tests are set to STAY for over-80s and most vulnerable

Daily Mail  

Over-80s and the most vulnerable will still be offered free Covid tests after they are scrapped nationwide, it was claimed today. Boris Johnson will unveil his 'living with Covid' strategy later today, with the Prime Minister expected to lay out a timetable for axing public access to lateral flow and PCR swabs. No10's business minister Paul Scully today said the …

Boris Johnson says scrapping Covid isolation requirements is ‘moment of pride’
2 years, 10 months ago

Boris Johnson says scrapping Covid isolation requirements is ‘moment of pride’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Boris Johnson has …

People with Covid in England won't need to self-isolate
2 years, 10 months ago

People with Covid in England won't need to self-isolate

India Today  

People with Covid-19 won't be legally required to self-isolate in England starting in the coming week, the UK government has announced, as part of a plan for “living with Covid” that is also likely to see testing for coronavirus scaled back. “We’ve reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, away from banning …

UK: People with COVID in England won’t need to self-isolate
2 years, 10 months ago

UK: People with COVID in England won’t need to self-isolate

Associated Press  

LONDON — People with COVID-19 won’t be legally required to self-isolate in England starting in the coming week, the U.K. government has announced, as part of a plan for “living with COVID” that is also likely to see testing for the coronavirus scaled back. “We’ve reached a stage where we think you can shift the balance away from state mandation, …

Rapid COVID-19 home tests surge in India, experts flag risks
2 years, 10 months ago

Rapid COVID-19 home tests surge in India, experts flag risks

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — On New Year’s Eve, the Indian government wrote to states encouraging them to promote the use of COVID-19 home tests, especially for people who are experiencing symptoms, in a bid to avoid straining local health systems. “If I had to guess, maybe only 20% of people using home tests are reporting it,” said K Srinath Reddy, president …

60 million households have requested free Covid-19 rapid tests, White House says
2 years, 11 months ago

60 million households have requested free Covid-19 rapid tests, White House says

CNN  

CNN — The White House said on Friday some 60 million households have requested free Covid-19 rapid tests so far, with tens of millions tests having “gone out the door” as part of the Biden administration’s program to mail more than half a billion rapid tests to Americans around the country. White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told …

Weekly Covid-19 cases on record high; UK, Denmark ease restrictions | Top developments
2 years, 11 months ago

Weekly Covid-19 cases on record high; UK, Denmark ease restrictions | Top developments

India Today  

The weekly number of Covid-19 cases in the world was recorded at 21 million, which is the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. In the South-East Asia Region, the number of new cases increased for the third consecutive week, with over 2.3 million new cases reported this week, a 36 per cent increase as compared to the previous week. …

UK scraps Covid tests for fully vaccinated travellers from February 11
2 years, 11 months ago

UK scraps Covid tests for fully vaccinated travellers from February 11

India Today  

Britain on Monday announced that it will scrap Covid-19 test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers entering England from next month. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps made a statement in the House of Commons outlining the Covid travel update, confirming that from 4am local time on February 11 travellers who have had both doses of a Covid vaccine will no longer …

An epidemiologically sound testing strategy
2 years, 11 months ago

An epidemiologically sound testing strategy

The Hindu  

On January 10, 2022, the Indian Council of Medical Research released an Advisory on Purposive Testing Strategy for COVID-19 in India. The latest COVID-19 testing strategy replaces the previous advisory, released on September 4, 2020 and inter alia, had the provision of COVID-19 testing on demand for ‘all individuals who wish to get themselves tested’. India, following this approach, ramped …

More free rapid COVID tests are coming. Here’s what we know so far
2 years, 11 months ago

More free rapid COVID tests are coming. Here’s what we know so far

LA Times  

Abbott Laboratories’ BinaxNOW is one of at least 14 at-home antigen COVID-19 tests authorized for over-the-counter sale by the Food and Drug Administration. The Biden administration announced Monday that insurers will be required to cover the cost of rapid home COVID tests for their customers, starting Saturday. People with insurance can also order free test kits from COVIDTests.gov, the administration …

Covid across the world: China begins mass testing in Tianjin, UK's campaign for jabs for pregnant women
2 years, 11 months ago

Covid across the world: China begins mass testing in Tianjin, UK's campaign for jabs for pregnant women

India Today  

As the fast-spreading Omicron variant of coronavirus becomes the dominant variant of coronavirus, governments across the world are acting aggressively to get their populations vaccinated against the virus. Here’s a rundown of how countries around the world are dealing with the latest Covid surge: United Kingdom The UK government has kicked off an advertising campaign encouraging pregnant women to get …

Home COVID tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday
2 years, 11 months ago

Home COVID tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday

LA Times  

A worker picks up two at-home COVID-19 test kits to be handed out during a distribution event in Youngstown, Ohio, on Dec. 30. Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans. “By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding …

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