U.K. to ration COVID-19 testing amid testing failure

U.K. lawmakers LONDON — criticized the government’s handlingof theCOVID- 19testing crisis for a second day Wednesday as opposition leaders claimed Prime Minister Boris Johnson lacked a cohesive plan to tackle the virus atatimewhenthe country faces a secondwave inthe pandemic.

Johnson defended his efforts to increase testing capacity, telling the House ofCommons the government was responding to a “colossal” increase in demand and arguing that Britain is testing more people than other European countries.

But Angela Rayner, who led the weekly questioning for the Labour Party, said he should “get some skates on” toensure the countryis ready for the colderwintermonths ahead when infection rates are expected to soar.

“They’vehadsixmonths to getthisrightandyettheprime minister still can’t deliver on his promises,” Rayner said.

“The health secretary said yesterdayitwould takeweeks to sort this situation out. We don’t have weeks.”

Thesqueezeontestscomes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the U.K. that has pushed daily new infections to levels not seen since late May and has forced the Conservative government to impose limits on public gatherings. Widespread testing is seen as crucial to controlling the spreadof the virus because it allows those who are infected to self-isolate while helping health offifficials identify hotspots and trace those who are infected.

Johnson said Wednesday the governmentwouldration coronavirustesting, givingpriority to health workers and care home staffff after widespread reports that people around the country were unable to schedule tests.

“We have mas s ively increased our capacity,” he toldlawmakersona keyoversight committee. “I know many people have had infuriating experiences and I do sympathize but 89% get their results within 24 hours.”