LONDON (UK) – On Monday, UK’s testing scheme was extended to permit anyone above the age of five exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to book a test to confirm having the virus, according to British health minister Matt Hancock.
21,000 staff have been employed to work for its tracing system, according to Hancock. The tracing system is designed to find people who had contact with those with the coronavirus.
Both, the expanded testing programme and track-and-trace system, are important parts of the UK’s plan to get back to normality after the COVID-19 killed over 40,000 people.
“We now have the elements we need to roll out our national test and trace service: the testing capacity, the tracing capability and the technology. Building that system is incredibly important.”
– Matt Hancock, British health minister
Many of UK’s restrictions which were implemented eight weeks ago to limit the coronavirus spread have now been eased, but the country is still on high alert in case the rate of transmission begins to increase.
If the case numbers continue to drop, UK hopes to re-open schools and other parts of the economy over the coming months.
(Photo syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.