March 14, 2020

expert reaction to details of how testing for COVID-19 will be prioritised by PHE, NHS England and DHSC

Reaction to details of how testing for COVID-19 will be prioritised by Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and the Departent of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Prof Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology, University of Nottingham, said:

“This doesn’t go nearly far enough – to have any impact on the spread of this virus there has to be more widespread testing out in the community.  We need to get a handle on where the virus is circulating most and better inform people of the cause of their respiratory symptoms so that self-isolation is better informed and more likely to be enacted.  South Korea, whose testing was far more extensive have highlighted how active community surveillance can have a major impact on flattening the curve and relieving pressure on stretched health services.”

* https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-testing

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