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Everyone in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland with coronavirus symptoms can now get a
test
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Anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough; high
temperature; and now also a loss of or change in your normal
sense of smell or taste can book a test by
visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
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21,000 contact tracers in England now
recruited
The Government has today announced that anyone with
symptoms of coronavirus is now eligible to book a test, ahead of
the rollout of the test and trace service.
The expansion in testing eligibility comes after all four
UK Chief Medical Officers confirmed that anosmia has been added
as a symptom of COVID-19. Anosmia is the loss of or a change in
your normal sense of smell, and it can also affect your sense of
taste.
This means people should self-isolate immediately if they
have a new, continuous cough; high temperature;
or a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or
taste. All members of their household must also
self-isolate according to current guidelines, unless the
symptomatic individual receives a negative test result.
Testing
The extension in testing eligibility comes ahead of the rollout
of the new test and trace service and is possible thanks to
increased testing capacity across the country as the Government
expands total testing capacity towards 200,000 tests a day.
The government has more than doubled the capacity of the
NHS/PHE laboratory network, set up 50 regional test centres and
116 mobile testing units, and introduced home testing kits and
three Lighthouse laboratories.
The number of tests available for the general population
will increase as capacity continues to expand.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“Following the massive ramping up of our National
Testing programme, anybody with symptoms of coronavirus in the
United Kingdom is now eligible for a test.
“This is a huge step forward in our plan to slow the spread
of the virus, protect the NHS and give the peace of mind these
tests can bring.
“We will continue to give priority for NHS staff and care
home residents and workers in order to protect our most
vulnerable.”
The tracing element of the service in England, due to be
launched shortly, will be supported by 21,000 contact tracers who
have now been recruited, and will play a vital role working to
reach those who have been in close contact with someone who has
developed coronavirus.
The new workforce in England of more than 21,000 contract
tracers will be overseen by experts from Public Health England
and local government.
PHE Deputy Chief Executive Richard Gleave
said:
“Test and Trace will require a huge team effort bringing
together PHE and local government leaders, experts in logistics
and thousands of new staff to carry out contact tracing. It’s
great to see people from a wide range disciplines coming forward
to play their part.”
NHS Professionals’ CEO, Nicola McQueen
said:
“We have seen a fantastic response to join the virtual
frontline of home-based Clinical Contact Caseworkers for the test
and trace service. This service is key to the national response
to Covid-19. We know that so many of our bank members, as well as
other registered healthcare professionals, are keen to help in
any way they can and this unique position will allow them to do
just that.”
*Ends*
Notes to editors:
Anyone in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
experiencing a new, continuous cough, high temperature or a loss
of or change in your normal sense of smell or taste can book a
test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Those unable to access the internet can call 119 in England and
Wales or 0300 303 2713 in Scotland and Northern Ireland to book a
test.
A team of PHE public health professionals, linking with the
local government sector and other partners, will oversee the
contact tracing workforce as well as continuing to manage complex
cases.
PHE is working with local government colleagues including
the Association of Directors of Public Health, Society of Local
Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers, Local Government
Association and UK Chief Environmental Health Officers on this
part of the test and trace service.
NHS Professionals, the Department of Health and Social Care
and NHS Business Services Authority are key partners in delivery
of the model helping with recruitment, logistics and integration
of the various elements of the service.
