Javid says people must learn to live with Covid
THE Health Secretary has insisted people must “learn to live with Covid” as campaigners criticised the end of free testing for millions of people in England.
Sajid Javid told reporters it was right to “focus resources” on those people who still most needed testing, including some hospital patients and those at a high risk of severe Covid.
Free testing comes to an end today for most people, who will need to shop on the high street for paid-for tests if they want them.
Mr Javid told reporters: “We are one of the most open and free countries in the world now, and that’s because of decisions that we’ve taken as a country... and it is right also as we learn to live with Covid that we withdraw free testing universally... if it’s not needed any more, but we focus those resources on the people that need it most. And that’s what we’re doing.”
Carers UK and the Alzheimer’s Society are among those who have criticised the move, with the latter saying it “risks gambling” with the lives of people living with dementia in care homes. The Alzheimer’s Society has been campaigning to keep lateral flow tests free for all people visiting loved ones in care settings.
James White, head of public affairs and campaigns at the charity, said: “With the end of Covid rules, people may well assume infections are dwindling. But the reality is that cases have been soaring which means scrapping all isolation rules and ending free tests is a dangerous gamble.
“It poses an unnecessary risk for people living with dementia being exposed to infected people not isolating in the community, but also from untested people visiting care homes whilst infected.
“It’s a relief to see a small number of those giving close personal care receive free tests for care home visits, but this doesn’t go nearly far enough to allow everyone to visit safely and provide families with the reassurance needed.”
He said the Alzheimer’s Society’s helpline has heard from families concerned about paying for tests to visit loved ones as the cost of living rises.
Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Having borne the brunt of the pandemic and gone to extraordinary lengths to protect their relatives, unpaid carers are now being asked to pay in order to protect those they care for who are at risk of Covid.”
While free testing ends in England, it will continue during April in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and until the summer in Wales.
Ministers in England argue that even though infection levels have been rising, vaccines and antivirals are working to protect the vast majority of people.
The most recent data shows there were 15,632 people in hospital in England with Covid-19 as of Wednesday, up 18% week-on-week and the highest since January 19.
Asked on Thursday morning if it is the right time to end free Covid testing, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chief executive Dr Dame Jenny Harries said the UK must be prepared for the pandemic to “remain unpredictable”.
Average daily hospital admissions in England of people with Covid-19 currently stand at 2,050: the highest since February 5, 2021. But the number of people in mechanical ventilator beds is still very low: 318 as of Wednesday, which is some way below the level reached at the start of this year (797) and far below the total at the start of 2021 (3,736).