Govt pledges virus tests for care homes
The government yesterday promised to test all residents and employees of nursing homes who have Covid-19 symptoms after official data showed the death toll from the pandemic was far higher when the elderly in care were included.
At the moment Britain tests the first five residents who have symptoms but Health Minister Matt Hancock said that would be expanded as laboratory capacity is boosted.
“Testing is key in our battle against coronavirus, and as part of our plan to prevent the spread and save lives we will ensure that everyone in social care who needs a test can have a test,” he said.
The expansion is part of government plans to increase testing to 100,000 a day by the end of the month after facing criticism that it has not gone as far as countries such as Germany.
On Tuesday, the Office for National Statistics said 5,979 people in England had died by April 3 with Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, mentioned on their death certificates — 15% higher than numbers published by the health service.
Daily figures published by the health ministry only record deaths in hospital and do not include fatalities in the community such as in care homes.
Meanwhile, the government came under pressure yesterday to set out its plans to end the coronavirus lockdown, as the country’s death toll approached 13,000.
Keir Starmer, the new leader of the opposition Labour Party, said it would support the government’s expected decision today to renew a stay-at-home order imposed three weeks ago to stem the spread of Covid-19.