The government appears to be resisting offering the public the Covid-19 test!

[John]

The government is prevaricating on the issue of testing despite the advice of the World Health Organisation who last week advised the UK must Test! Test! Test!   The government claimed last night that millions of these test kits had been ordered 'from abroad' yet in the next breath they claimed that these kits were not accurate so worthless. I ask myself why is the UK government buying kits from abroad when there are British laboratories manufacturing them here in the UK?  It all stinks for some reason.

I have been in touch with one reputable UK-based laboratory weeks ago who have been testing in Wuhan, China, for some time and have perfected a rapid test kit which is 97.8% effective for(IgM) and 99.6% for (IgG).

What are IgG and IgM?

Immunoglobulins are antibodies themselves and are part of our immune system. When we get an infection, such as COVID-19, immunoglobulins are produced, which attach to the virus and activate the rest of the immune system to attack and clear the virus. IgM is the first immunoglobulin to be produced and is a general antibody that can bind to many different types of pathogen. The presence of IgM is an indicator of early infection. IgG is a more specialised antibody that specifically binds to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The presence of IgG is an indicator of later stage infection (usually 7 days or longer after infection).

There is no doubt that this UK kit is accurate at detecting the virus but despite this I was told this morning that the majority of their kits were being shipped abroad? 

What exactly is going on?  Is the government afraid that if the true number of infections are realised it could cause panic?

Your views please?

[Angelo222]

There appears to be a difference of opinion between Public Health England and what the WHO is saying which is not helpful. British citizens will die because of our government's intransigence.

[Mr Gray]

There appears to be a difference of opinion between Public Health England and what the WHO is saying which is not helpful. British citizens will die because of our government's intransigence.

The UKs doing better than most European countries as regards the number of deaths....so I think your criticism is unjustified. Look at Spain , Italy, France . Countries with similar populations

[Angelo222]

The UKs doing better than most European countries as regards the number of deaths....so I think your criticism is unjustified. Look at Spain , Italy, France . Countries with similar populations

They have warmer climates which meant that they lead the curve, the UK is two weeks behind them.

ETA. My criticism of the UK government is well justified, they are still allowing thousands to enter the country every day with no checks while some idiots go off on holiday to Spain.

[Venturi Swirl]

Latest estimates put the total number of deaths in the UK at fewer than 6000. Of course even one death is too many but still a far cry from the half a million that has been touted recently.

[Mr Gray]

They have warmer climates which meant that they lead the curve, the UK is two weeks behind them.

ETA. My criticism of the UK government is well justified, they are still allowing thousands to enter the country every day with no checks while some idiots go off on holiday to Spain.

Spain has been not allowing entry into its country for around a week. it looks like anything to criticise the uk govt will do. Surely a warmer climate is supposed to slow the disease. Other countries are showing more deaths but you want to criticise the UK.

[Mr Gray]

They have warmer climates which meant that they lead the curve, the UK is two weeks behind them.

ETA. My criticism of the UK government is well justified, they are still allowing thousands to enter the country every day with no checks while some idiots go off on holiday to Spain.

deaths in spain started only a couple of days before the uk which shows the Uk is handling things far better than spain.

[Venturi Swirl]

They have warmer climates which meant that they lead the curve, the UK is two weeks behind them.

ETA. My criticism of the UK government is well justified, they are still allowing thousands to enter the country every day with no checks while some idiots go off on holiday to Spain.

Northern Italy is the worst hit area and the climate there is not warmer than here.

[Mr Gray]

There appears to be a difference of opinion between Public Health England and what the WHO is saying which is not helpful. British citizens will die because of our government's intransigence.

Who are the WHO suggesting is tested.  i think the govt to a large extent have got it just about right.

[Carana]

Latest estimates put the total number of deaths in the UK at fewer than 6000. Of course even one death is too many but still a far cry from the half a million that has been touted recently.

The higher estimates were if no measures were taken - the "take it on the chin" approach.

[Carana]

The government is prevaricating on the issue of testing despite the advice of the World Health Organisation who last week advised the UK must Test! Test! Test!   The government claimed last night that millions of these test kits had been ordered 'from abroad' yet in the next breath they claimed that these kits were not accurate so worthless. I ask myself why is the UK government buying kits from abroad when there are British laboratories manufacturing them here in the UK?  It all stinks for some reason.

I have been in touch with one reputable UK-based laboratory weeks ago who have been testing in Wuhan, China, for some time and have perfected a rapid test kit which is 97.8% effective for(IgM) and 99.6% for (IgG).

What are IgG and IgM?

Immunoglobulins are antibodies themselves and are part of our immune system. When we get an infection, such as COVID-19, immunoglobulins are produced, which attach to the virus and activate the rest of the immune system to attack and clear the virus. IgM is the first immunoglobulin to be produced and is a general antibody that can bind to many different types of pathogen. The presence of IgM is an indicator of early infection. IgG is a more specialised antibody that specifically binds to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The presence of IgG is an indicator of later stage infection (usually 7 days or longer after infection).

There is no doubt that this UK kit is accurate at detecting the virus but despite this I was told this morning that the majority of their kits were being shipped abroad? 

What exactly is going on?  Is the government afraid that if the true number of infections are realised it could cause panic?

Your views please?

Which test, John? The antigen (current infection one or the antibody one (already had it and now innoculated)?

[Carana]

Coronavirus: NHS staff first to receive 'antigen testing' for COVID-19
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-nhs-staff-first-to-receive-antigen-testing-for-covid-19-11964673

[Carana]

I've been trying to get to the bottom of whether the UK accepted the offer of the EU Joint Procurement for medical supplies / equipment, and if not, why not.

EU Delegation UK
@EUdelegationUK
The UK is welcome to participate in any EU procurements in the transition period.  This was discussed at the Health Security Committee meetings where the UK participated.

https://twitter.com/EUdelegationUK/status/1243554945166696458

[Brietta]

I've been trying to get to the bottom of whether the UK accepted the offer of the EU Joint Procurement for medical supplies / equipment, and if not, why not.

EU Delegation UK
@EUdelegationUK
The UK is welcome to participate in any EU procurements in the transition period.  This was discussed at the Health Security Committee meetings where the UK participated.

https://twitter.com/EUdelegationUK/status/1243554945166696458

Asked if the UK was taking part in EU procurement schemes, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “I think the short answer to that is no.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-boris-johnson-medical-equipment-eu-brexit-a9424631.html

[Carana]

Asked if the UK was taking part in EU procurement schemes, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “I think the short answer to that is no.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-boris-johnson-medical-equipment-eu-brexit-a9424631.html

 Boris Johnson’s dilemma over EU coronavirus help
The pandemic causes an awkward problem: can the UK reach out to Brussels?

https://www.ft.com/content/c87393c8-6791-11ea-800d-da70cff6e4d3