Politics

Government's 100,000-a-day coronavirus tests pledge 'unachievable', fear experts


A government promise to test 100,000 people a day for coronavirus by the end of April is unlikely to be achievable, scientists have warned.

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) says its members are already “testing to the limit of our materials” and that a lack of vital equipment is stopping them from scaling up.

The body, which represents around 17,000 NHS lab scientists and staff, says it stands ready to carry out more Covid-19 tests but needs more chemical reagents, test tubes and swabs to do so.

The government has been facing growing pressure to increase the rate of screening as the UK – which is currently carrying out just 10,000 tests a day – has lagged behind countries such as Germany and South Korea. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who had been self-isolating after contracting the flu-like virus himself, committed on Thursday to raising that figure tenfold to 100,000 a day by the end of April.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has himself recovered after contracting coronavirus

But speaking to the Daily Mail, IBMS president Allan Wilson says that this would take a “real push”.

“When politicians come up with targets like this, it’s hard not to sigh. I don’t think 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month is achievable, given the supply problems,” he said.

“Officials didn’t seem to think testing was important at the beginning, so they did not do much.

“By the time they recognised the issue, the supply chains were already taken up by other countries, and companies which could have helped us were committed elsewhere.”

In a statement, the IBMS have expressed their “frustration” at the lack of resources, which it blames for the lack of progress.

“The UK has numerous high-quality accredited laboratories with suitable equipment, with the capability to process over 100,000 tests per day, set up and ready to meet testing targets,” a spokesman said.

“Staffing levels are currently adequate to expand Covid-19 testing. “Biomedical scientists across the UK have already been re-trained to carry out testing or free up virology-trained staff to focus on testing.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock this week unveiled a five-pillar plan to boost testing to 100,000-a-day

“Currently, England could process up to 25,000 a day, which by May could rise to 100,000, meeting the ambitious target set down by Matt Hancock, all within the NHS. However, there is a material supply issue with a worldwide shortage in reagent kits.

“The supply of precision plastics that are used with the reagents are not due to be ready until mid-May.”

At Thursday’s press briefing, Mr Hancock unveiled a “five-pillar plan” to increase screening capacity, including working with university and private businesses to create new swab testing sites.

Plans are also in place for pharmaceutical firms to help create a British diagnostics industry “at scale”.

Boris Johnson, who joined in Thursday’s applause for carers, has been urged to massively ramp up Britain’s levels of testing

However, the IBMS urged the Government to be cautious and to ensure that supply chains are secured.

The scientists added that if this does not happen, there is a “very real risk” that hospitals will run out of reagents – a chemical needed to determine if a test is positive or negative – leaving sick patients unable to be tested.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously said that large-scale testing for coronavirus will be the key to “unlocking the puzzle” of beating the pandemic. 

“This is how we will defeat it in the end,” he said.





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