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Coronavirus: What tests are being done in the UK? Coronavirus: What tests are being done in the UK?
(2 days later)
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should get tested so Covid-19 can be controlled as the lockdown eases, says Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The government says it can now test 200,000 people a day for coronavirus. It aims to process tests within 24 hours by the end of June.
But the UK statistics watchdog has criticised the government's handling of the testing data. The tests are seen as vital to controlling Covid-19 as the lockdown eases.
So how much testing is being done?
Can I get tested?Can I get tested?
In England and Wales anyone with symptoms can get a swab test.In England and Wales anyone with symptoms can get a swab test.
In Northern Ireland and Scotland anyone over the age of five with symptoms can get tested.In Northern Ireland and Scotland anyone over the age of five with symptoms can get tested.
People working or living in care homes can be tested even if they don't have symptoms.People working or living in care homes can be tested even if they don't have symptoms.
How many tests are being carried out?
During the coronavirus epidemic, the government has been challenged over its testing capacity and the data presented at daily briefings.
On Sunday, Matt Hancock announced the UK had exceeded its target to increase coronavirus testing capacity to 200,000 a day by the end of May - describing it as "an important milestone on our journey to control the spread of the virus".
But only about 115,000 tests were actually carried out in the 24 hours to 09:00 BST that day - and that figure includes testing kits posted out to homes.
The chairman of the UK Statistics Authority has now criticised the presentation of the daily figures, saying they appeared to be aimed at showing "the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding".
Sir David Norgrove has written to Mr Hancock saying the information is "far from complete", presented in a way that is "difficult to understand", and relevant figures may be "misleadingly" described.
He points out:
Some people are tested more than once - either to prove they no longer have Covid-19, or because a negative result appears incorrect given their symptoms, or because the first test doesn't work.
Sir David is also calling for more detailed data on those being tested. He wants age, sex, location and job to be included - such as working in a care home or hospital.
The government says it releases full data.
A spokesman said the government was working with statisticians and that the approach throughout had been to "increase transparency around the government's response to coronavirus".
How does the test work?How does the test work?
The test finds out if you currently have the virus.The test finds out if you currently have the virus.
It involves taking a swab up the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves or by someone else. It involves taking a swab up the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves or someone else.
These tests won't show if you have had Covid-19 in the past and since recovered. These tests won't show if you have had Covid-19 in the past.
Antibody tests - which do look for evidence of past exposure - use blood samples from patients. Antibody tests - which do look for evidence of past exposure - use blood samples.
The UK now has capacity for 40,000 antibody tests a day, but these are only being offered to health and care staff. The UK now has capacity for 40,000 antibody tests a day, but these are only offered to health and care staff.
How long does it take to get a result?
Couriers collect samples and take them to laboratories.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged tests would be processed within 24 hours by the end of June, except where there were difficulties with the post.
Baroness Dido Harding, the head of the Test and Trace service, has said 84% of drive-in centre tests come back within a day. No figure has been provided for home kits.
Speed is important because delays give the virus more time to spread.
How reliable are the tests?
Scientists at the University of Bristol believe 20% of positive cases could falsely appear as negative, wrongly telling someone they are not infected.
Baroness Harding said false negative results range between "two and 20-odd percent".
The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA), which represents hospital doctors, has called NHS staff to be tested more than once.
Why is testing important?Why is testing important?
Testing is essential if the contact-tracing systems now in place in all four UK nations are to work effectively, help stop the spread of the virus and avoid the need for UK-wide lockdowns. Testing is essential if contact-tracing systems now in place across the UK are to work effectively, help stop the spread of the virus and avoid the need for UK-wide lockdowns.
Tests can also help people, including NHS workers, know whether they are safe to go to work.Tests can also help people, including NHS workers, know whether they are safe to go to work.
They can also let the health service plan for extra demand and inform government decisions around social distancing and lockdowns. They can also let the health service plan for extra demand and inform government decisions around social distancing.
What is contact tracing?What is contact tracing?
People who test positive for Covid-19 will be told to self-isolate for 14 days - and their recent close contacts will be traced and told to do the same, even if they don't have symptoms.People who test positive for Covid-19 will be told to self-isolate for 14 days - and their recent close contacts will be traced and told to do the same, even if they don't have symptoms.
Close contacts include household members and anyone who has been within 2m of the positive person for more than 15 minutes.Close contacts include household members and anyone who has been within 2m of the positive person for more than 15 minutes.
Read more about contact tracing in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Read more about contact tracing in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How many tests are being carried out?
During the coronavirus epidemic, the government has been challenged over its testing capacity and the data presented at daily briefings.
On Sunday, Matt Hancock announced the UK had exceeded its target to increase coronavirus testing capacity to 200,000 a day by the end of May.
But only about 115,000 tests were actually carried out in the 24 hours to 09:00 BST that day - and that figure includes testing kits posted out to homes.
The chairman of the UK Statistics Authority criticised the presentation of the daily figures, saying they appeared to be aimed at showing "the largest possible number of tests, even at the expense of understanding".
Some people are tested more than once - either to prove they no longer have Covid-19, or because a negative result appears incorrect given their symptoms, or because the first test doesn't work.
A government spokesperson said it was working with statisticians and that the approach throughout had been to "increase transparency".
Where do I get tested?Where do I get tested?
There are several options.There are several options.
You can travel to a drive-through testing site, visit a mobile testing unit or get a home testing kit delivered to your door. You can travel to a drive-through testing site, visit a mobile testing unit or get a home testing kit delivered.
The government says home test kits will be limited at first, because of a lack of availability.
Testing at an NHS facility, such as a hospital, is available for patients and some NHS workers.Testing at an NHS facility, such as a hospital, is available for patients and some NHS workers.
How long will it take to get a result?
Couriers will collect samples and take them to laboratories.
The government says it aims to return test results within 48 hours of a swab being taken, or within 72 hours for a home test.
Speed is important if the contact-tracing systems across the UK are to work well - because delays will give the virus more time to spread.
Speaking the day before England's tracing system was launched, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there was now a target to get test results in less than 24 hours. But the Department of Health and Social Care said no formal deadline had been set to achieve this.
On the same day, the head of England's test and trace programme, Dido Harding, said 84% of tests at drive-through centres were returned within 24 hours, and 95% within 48 hours.
She didn't provide a figure for home testing kits or those provided at other settings.
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What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
Have you been tested? Or are you waiting for a test?Have you been tested? Or are you waiting for a test?
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about your experience.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist about your experience.
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