- 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
- 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 4 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
- a 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/Public Health England (PHE) laboratory network, set up 50
regional test centres and 116 mobile testing units, and
introduced home testing kits and 3 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 to 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.
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 to book a test
in England, Wales and Scotland, or call 0300 303 2713 in Northern
Ireland.
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.
