Britain to bring in mass testing to curb spread of COVID-19
4 years, 4 months ago

Britain to bring in mass testing to curb spread of COVID-19

India Today  

Britain plans to bring in regular, population-wide testing for COVID-19 so it can suppress the spread of the virus and limit restrictions that have crippled one of the worst-hit countries in the world. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government was trialing a range of new, faster tests that can give instant results and hoped to roll them out towards the end of the year. “The mass testing, population testing, where we make it the norm that people get tested regularly, allowing us therefore to allow some of the freedoms back, is a huge project in government right now,” Hancock told BBC Radio. “We’ll ramp it up certainly over the remainder of this year.” The government has been criticised during the pandemic for promising new developments which then take much longer to arrive, such as the arrival of protective clothing for health workers or a comprehensive track and trace system. The government also said on Wednesday it would expand a testing study being run by the Office for National Statistics from 28,000 people now to 150,000 by October and ultimately to 400,000 to help establish a better national picture of the pandemic and spot local outbreaks.

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History of this topic

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 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 …

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 …

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,” …

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 …

UK government considers Covid testing travellers from China amid virus surge
2 years ago

UK government considers Covid testing travellers from China amid virus surge

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. “But what the Italians are doing is post-flight surveillance of arrivals in Italy in …

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 cases in UK jump by over 30% in a week | 5 points you must know
2 years, 6 months ago

Covid cases in UK jump by over 30% in a week | 5 points you must know

Hindustan Times  

Covid cases in the United Kingdom have jumped by over 30 per cent in seven days, the Office of National Statistics said amid experts' warning that the pandemic situation could worsen during the autumn months. ONS data - based on a survey that analysed the figures for the week ending June 24 - indicated the percentage of people testing positive …

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 …

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 {{ …

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 …

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 …

'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 …

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, …

Britain scraps all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers
2 years, 10 months ago

Britain scraps all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers

LA Times  

Vaccinated travelers can enter Britain without taking any coronavirus tests starting Friday, after the government scrapped one of the final restrictions imposed over the past two years in response to COVID-19. Andrew Flintham, managing director of travel group Tui UK, said there was “a huge pent-up demand for international travel,” and people were rushing to book getaways for the February …

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 …

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 …

‘Keep travel tests or risk hard lockdowns,’ warn critics
2 years, 11 months ago

‘Keep travel tests or risk hard lockdowns,’ warn critics

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy After leaks suggested Covid tests for fully vaccinated arrivals to the UK could be scrapped by …

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 …

Victoria records 14,020 COVID-19 cases, two deaths, hospitalisations rise to 516
3 years ago

Victoria records 14,020 COVID-19 cases, two deaths, hospitalisations rise to 516

ABC  

Victoria has recorded another record rise in COVID-19 cases, with more than 50 testing sites shutting their doors for several days to allow pathology laboratories to process a backlog of swabs. Key points: Hospitalisations have passed 500 for the first time in nearly two months 54 private sector testing sites will close, but more than 200 state-run testing sites remain …

Covid-19 cases surge around world, raising testing and quarantine fears
3 years ago

Covid-19 cases surge around world, raising testing and quarantine fears

Live Mint  

Daily Covid-19 infections have hit record highs in the United States, swathes of Europe and Australia as the new Omicron variant of the virus races out of control, keeping workers at home and overwhelming testing centres. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his country needed "a gear change" to manage overburdened laboratories, with long walk-in and drive-in queues reported in …

Finding a Covid-19 test is a struggle right now in the US as Omicron and holiday plans collide
3 years ago

Finding a Covid-19 test is a struggle right now in the US as Omicron and holiday plans collide

CNN  

CNN — With coronavirus cases surging once again, frustrated Americans are struggling to get tested days before Christmas as long lines and increased demand overwhelm some facilities across the country. People who have been previously infected with Covid-19 and remain unvaccinated “should not assume that have protection against Omicron,” US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said Tuesday. As to whether …

One in four UK local authorities have record Covid-19 case rates
3 years ago

One in four UK local authorities have record Covid-19 case rates

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 About one in four local authority areas in the UK …

As Europe virus cases surge, UK plows on with its new normal
3 years, 1 month ago

As Europe virus cases surge, UK plows on with its new normal

Associated Press  

LONDON — The bars are shut in Vienna, and the Christmas market is empty in Munich, as several European nations tighten up or even lock down to combat a spike in coronavirus infections. But while Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that a “blizzard from the east” could still ruin Britain’s Christmas, many scientists say the wind is now blowing …

New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season
3 years, 1 month ago

New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Millions more home tests for COVID-19 are hitting store shelves, but will there be enough for Americans hoping to screen themselves before holiday gatherings? White House officials say the U.S. is on pace to have about 200 million home tests per month by December, quadrupling the number from this summer. Market leader Abbott says it is back to …

US falls behind on at-home Covid tests
3 years, 2 months ago

US falls behind on at-home Covid tests

CNN  

This is the weekly edition of CNN’s coronavirus newsletter. The National Institutes of Health’s $70 million pledge, announced last week, promises to get more tests onto the market by identifying and encouraging new manufacturers and easing the obstacles in getting the tests approved. A vast, international review of studies published in March found that few antigen tests met the World …

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with virus cases high and rising
3 years, 2 months ago

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with virus cases high and rising

Associated Press  

LONDON — Life has returned to normal for millions in Britain since coronavirus restrictions were lifted over the summer. “It’s critical we accelerate the booster program,” said epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. Ferguson said one factor influencing the U.K.'s high case numbers was that it has relied heavily on the AstraZeneca vaccine, …

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with COVID-19 cases high and rising; scientists blame waning vaccine immunity
3 years, 2 months ago

UK faces calls for ‘Plan B’ with COVID-19 cases high and rising; scientists blame waning vaccine immunity

Firstpost  

Studies have suggested that vaccines’ protection gradually wanes over time. Millions of people in Britain are being offered booster shots, but critics say the program is moving too slowly London: Many scientists are pressing the British government to reimpose social restrictions and speed up booster vaccinations as coronavirus infection rates, already Europe’s highest, rise still further. “It’s critical we accelerate …

UK to allow cheaper COVID-19 tests for returning vaccinated travellers
3 years, 2 months ago

UK to allow cheaper COVID-19 tests for returning vaccinated travellers

India TV News  

Fully vaccinated travellers returning to England from countries, not on the travel ban red list can take a COVID-19 negative Lateral Flow Test instead of the more expensive Polymerase Chain Reaction test under new rules effective from October 24. These eligible fully vaccinated passengers arriving in England from countries, not on the red list can take an LFT on or …

England simplifies COVID-19 travel rules bashed as confusing
3 years, 3 months ago

England simplifies COVID-19 travel rules bashed as confusing

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British government announced a major simplification of its rules for international travel on Friday, heeding complaints from travelers and businesses that its regulations aimed at staving off the spread of COVID-19 were cumbersome and ineffective. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the “simpler, more straightforward system” would allow “more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business …

UK records over 10,000 virus cases for first time since Feb
3 years, 6 months ago

UK records over 10,000 virus cases for first time since Feb

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K.'s latest surge in coronavirus infections gathered pace Thursday with new confirmed cases rising above 10,000 for the first time in nearly four months as a result of the spread of the more contagious delta variant. The government’s chief medical adviser, Professor Chris Whitty, said the height of the current surge is “still uncertain” but that it …

Over 10,000 Covid cases reported in UK for first time since February
3 years, 6 months ago

Over 10,000 Covid cases reported in UK for first time since February

India Today  

The UK's latest surge in coronavirus infections gathered pace on Thursday with new confirmed cases rising above 10,000 for the first time in nearly four months as a result of the spread of the more contagious delta variant. The government's chief medical adviser, Professor Chris Whitty, said the height of the current surge is “still uncertain” but that it “will …

UK Launches Booster Covid Vaccine Study as B1.617.2 Variant Cases Rise
3 years, 7 months ago

UK Launches Booster Covid Vaccine Study as B1.617.2 Variant Cases Rise

News 18  

Thousands of volunteers will receive a booster COVID-19 vaccine in a new clinical trial launching on Wednesday to study the impact of the third jab to protect against the deadly virus, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced. The Cov-Boost study will trial seven vaccines to provide data on the impact of a third dose on patients’ immune responses, as …

Testing fails to keep up as caseload soars
3 years, 8 months ago

Testing fails to keep up as caseload soars

Live Mint  

India’s covid-19 testing capacity has less than doubled in the past month, even as daily cases have jumped sixfold, a Mint analysis of government data shows. The slow growth in testing, along with an increased infection rate, has bumped up India’s overall positivity rate to an all-time high of 20% as of Monday, from 4% a month ago. Source: Covid19india …

Travellers are set to get free Covid testing kits and more countries will join our 'green list'
3 years, 9 months ago

Travellers are set to get free Covid testing kits and more countries will join our 'green list'

Daily Mail  

Travel restrictions to dozens of holiday destinations are set to be watered down in time for the summer holidays. Travel, said the report was 'an important step towards resuming international travel' but 'falls short in providing solutions', adding the current cost of Covid tests risked pricing people out of taking holidays. Health chiefs yesterday administered 408,396 second doses and 99,530 …

England sees 60% drop in coronavirus cases amid vaccinations and lockdown
3 years, 9 months ago

England sees 60% drop in coronavirus cases amid vaccinations and lockdown

LA Times  

A man walks past the COVID-19 memorial wall in London, a field of hand-painted red hearts that each represent a victim of the disease in Britain. The study also found that the relationship between infections and deaths is diverging, “suggesting that infections may have resulted in fewer hospitalizations and deaths since the start of widespread vaccination.” The positive news came …

England To Offer Free Twice-A-Week COVID-19 Tests
3 years, 9 months ago

England To Offer Free Twice-A-Week COVID-19 Tests

NPR  

England To Offer Free Twice-A-Week COVID-19 Tests Enlarge this image toggle caption Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images England is aiming to offer free twice-a-week rapid COVID-19 tests for everyone in the coming weeks, but critics think it will do more harm than good because of the possibility of incorrect test results. The tests will show results in about 30 …

UK eases lockdown but nervously eyes European virus surge
3 years, 9 months ago

UK eases lockdown but nervously eyes European virus surge

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain is taking another small step out of lockdown as it looks nervously at a new virus surge inundating its European neighbors. With U.K. coronavirus vaccination rates outstripping those of European Union nations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is easing the stark “stay at home” message that has curtailed everyday life — and kept the virus in check — …

UK Schools to Reopen, Backed by Frequent Covid-19 Testing
3 years, 10 months ago

UK Schools to Reopen, Backed by Frequent Covid-19 Testing

News 18  

British students, backed by a robust coronavirus testing program, are gearing up to return to school Monday after a two-month closure, in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson says is a plan to get the country moving closer to a sense of normality. The reopening of schools is the first step in the UK government’s plan to gradually ease COVID-19 restrictions …

15m Britons receive Covid vaccine: the five key things the data show
3 years, 10 months ago

15m Britons receive Covid vaccine: the five key things the data show

The Telegraph  

Fifteen million first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been administered in the UK – on paper enough to vaccinate every person in the Government's top four priority groups for jabs. Most – but not all – top priority jabs complete This first stretch of the UK's vaccination programme has focused on four key groups that together account for …

Covid UK: Study shows vaccines cutting risk of falling ill by 65%
3 years, 10 months ago

Covid UK: Study shows vaccines cutting risk of falling ill by 65%

Daily Mail  

Pfizer and Oxford University's Covid vaccines both cut the risk of falling ill with the disease by 65 per cent after just one dose, in a ray of hope for Britain's lockdown-easing plans. The first Pfizer dose reportedly cuts the risk of getting symptoms by 64 per cent in over-80s and by 65 per cent in younger adults, the first …

UK starts door-to-door COVID testing in eight regions to stop South African strain from spreading
3 years, 11 months ago

UK starts door-to-door COVID testing in eight regions to stop South African strain from spreading

ABC  

England has begun COVID-19 testing every household in some communities as authorities try to snuff out a new variant of the coronavirus before it undermines the country's nationwide vaccination program. Key points: Health Secretary Matt Hancock says it is "critical" for residents of eight localities to stay at home Health Secretary Matt Hancock says it is "critical" for residents of …

UK launches new global platform to track new Covid-19 variants
3 years, 11 months ago

UK launches new global platform to track new Covid-19 variants

Hindustan Times  

The UK launched a New Variant Assessment Platform on Tuesday, which it says will offer the country's world-leading genomics expertise to identify new variants of the virus that causes Covid-19 to countries who do not have the resources to do so. As part of the UK’s Presidency of the G7 this year, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock outlined the plans …

More than one million people in England had coronavirus last week, according to ONS study
3 years, 11 months ago

More than one million people in England had coronavirus last week, according to ONS study

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 More than one million people in England had Covid-19 last week, …

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