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Coronavirus: Can I get tested to see if I have Covid-19? Coronavirus: Can I get tested to see if I have Covid-19?
(about 1 hour later)
The UK government wants to increase the number of people tested for coronavirus.The UK government wants to increase the number of people tested for coronavirus.
Currently, about 6,000 people are tested daily. But by the end of March it wants to test 10,000 people a day, rising to 25,000 by the end of April.Currently, about 6,000 people are tested daily. But by the end of March it wants to test 10,000 people a day, rising to 25,000 by the end of April.
Can I get tested for coronavirus?Can I get tested for coronavirus?
Currently, most people can't.Currently, most people can't.
At the moment, only patients in hospital with flu-like symptoms are being routinely tested for the virus.At the moment, only patients in hospital with flu-like symptoms are being routinely tested for the virus.
However, there have been calls to do more tests, especially for NHS staff and other key workers.However, there have been calls to do more tests, especially for NHS staff and other key workers.
Is a new test being developed?Is a new test being developed?
The government's priority is to increase the number of people being tested to see if they currently have the disease.The government's priority is to increase the number of people being tested to see if they currently have the disease.
The test being used is known as a PCR test. A swab from your throat or nose has to be taken and tested in the lab.The test being used is known as a PCR test. A swab from your throat or nose has to be taken and tested in the lab.
But scientists are also looking at tests which can check whether someone has had the disease in the past. These look for markers of immunity called antibodies in the blood.But scientists are also looking at tests which can check whether someone has had the disease in the past. These look for markers of immunity called antibodies in the blood.
They are faster than PCR tests, using a drop of blood on a device a bit like a pregnancy test.They are faster than PCR tests, using a drop of blood on a device a bit like a pregnancy test.
This could help work out how widespread the disease has been and whether people are safe to go back to workThis could help work out how widespread the disease has been and whether people are safe to go back to work
The government said it has bought three-and-a-half million of these tests and plans to make them available "very soon", if they can be proved to work.The government said it has bought three-and-a-half million of these tests and plans to make them available "very soon", if they can be proved to work.
However, it will not be available immediately, according to the government's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty.However, it will not be available immediately, according to the government's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty.
"I do not think - and I want to be clear - that this is something we'll suddenly be ordering on the internet next week," he said."I do not think - and I want to be clear - that this is something we'll suddenly be ordering on the internet next week," he said.
Can I buy a private test?Can I buy a private test?
You can, but Public Health England advises against it, as it says there is not yet enough information about them.You can, but Public Health England advises against it, as it says there is not yet enough information about them.
"It is not known whether either a positive or negative result is reliable," reads a statement on its website."It is not known whether either a positive or negative result is reliable," reads a statement on its website.
A private healthcare clinic in London defended its decision to charge £375 for a test.A private healthcare clinic in London defended its decision to charge £375 for a test.
Reports suggest other firms have also increased the price of their testing kits.Reports suggest other firms have also increased the price of their testing kits.
What is the UK doing?What is the UK doing?
In total, 90,436 people in the UK had been tested for coronavirus as of 24 March. In total, 97,019 people in the UK had been tested for coronavirus as of 25 March.
There are two main reasons for testing people - to diagnose them individually, and to try to understand the spread of the virus. This is called surveillance testing, but is not being done by the UK at present.There are two main reasons for testing people - to diagnose them individually, and to try to understand the spread of the virus. This is called surveillance testing, but is not being done by the UK at present.
Not testing more widely means that many people might be self-isolating for no good reason, including NHS workers. Healthcare staff have also raised concerns that they could be spreading the infection unknowingly.Not testing more widely means that many people might be self-isolating for no good reason, including NHS workers. Healthcare staff have also raised concerns that they could be spreading the infection unknowingly.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
Should the UK be testing more people?Should the UK be testing more people?
The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he had a "simple message" for all countries: "Test, test, test."The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he had a "simple message" for all countries: "Test, test, test."
He added: "We cannot stop this pandemic if we do not know who is infected."He added: "We cannot stop this pandemic if we do not know who is infected."
The UK does not have the resources of equipment or staff to do mass testing at the moment, although the government is trying to increase its capacity.The UK does not have the resources of equipment or staff to do mass testing at the moment, although the government is trying to increase its capacity.
It has done more testing than many other countries, although not more than the most rigorous testers like South Korea.It has done more testing than many other countries, although not more than the most rigorous testers like South Korea.
The UK passed its 2,500th case on 18 March and had tested 828 people per million of its population. At the same point in their outbreaks, Italy had conducted 386 tests per million citizens, while South Korea had done more than 2,000 tests per million.The UK passed its 2,500th case on 18 March and had tested 828 people per million of its population. At the same point in their outbreaks, Italy had conducted 386 tests per million citizens, while South Korea had done more than 2,000 tests per million.