Tests For Millions Will Help Beat Virus

Tests will get many back to work

- Sam Lister

Millions of new antibody tests will help Britain defeat coronavirus, Matt Hancock vowed last night.

He said 3.5 million of the tests had been purchased by the Government as he called for an army of 250,000 volunteers to come forward to support the NHS during the coronavirus crisis.

Health Secretary Mr Hancock said the tests bought by the Government will show if people have had Covid-19.

A new testing facility for coronavirus has now opened in Milton Keynes, Bucks, and the Government was “ramping up” checks, he announced.

He also said 35,000 extra health service workers will be joining the fight, including retired doctors and nurses and final-year students.

Mr Hancock said he now wants to recruit a quarter of a million fit and healthy “NHS volunteers” to deliver medicines, shop and help support the most vulnerable.

The moves came after the Government faced criticism over a lack of testing for Covid-19, including among NHS workers.