This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51943612

The article has changed 88 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 69 Version 70
Coronavirus: What tests are being done in the UK? Coronavirus: What tests are being done in the UK?
(8 days later)
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. Testing will be vital to controlling coronavirus outbreaks as lockdown eases.
The tests are seen as vital to controlling Covid-19 as the lockdown eases. The government says tests are now available to anyone with symptoms, and it aims to process tests within 24 hours by the end of June.
Can I get tested?Can I get tested?
In England and Wales anyone with symptoms can get a swab test. In England and Wales you can apply for a swab test for yourself, or for anyone in your household, if you or they have symptoms
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 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 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.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.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 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?How long does it take to get a result?
Couriers collect samples and take them to laboratories.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.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. Baroness Dido Harding, the head of the Test and Trace service, has previously 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.Speed is important because delays give the virus more time to spread.
How reliable are the tests?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.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". This can be because the swab sample wasn't good enough, the stage of infection someone's at when tested, or problems in the lab.
The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA), which represents hospital doctors, has called NHS staff to be tested more than once. The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA), which represents hospital doctors, has called for NHS staff to be tested more than once.
Why is testing important?Why is testing important?
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.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. And in theory it can 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. But representatives of hospital trusts and care home providers say staff need to be tested regularly, not as a one-off, to ensure this.
Testing 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?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.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. On 7 June, 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. 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, some of which may never be returned.
It also includes tests carried out as part of a surveillance study by the Office for National Statistics, which don't serve the purpose of diagnosing individuals.
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".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. 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 didn't work.
A government spokesperson said it was working with statisticians and that the approach throughout had been to "increase transparency".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.You can travel to a drive-through testing site, visit a mobile testing unit or get a home testing kit delivered.
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.
Follow Rachel on TwitterFollow Rachel on Twitter
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.
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: