HOME TESTS FOR THE FLU
Swabs plan to help stop surge in cases
MINISTERS hope to combat an expected surge in flu cases this winter by making home testing kits available.
They fear that because the symptoms are so similar to coronavirus, a negative Covid test would stop those with flu seeking treatment.
Some people could become so ill they need a hospital stay, piling pressure on the already-creaking NHS.
In January, the usual peak of flu season, cases hit a 130-year low.
Doctors reported just 1.1 infections per 100,000 people compared to a fiveyear average of 27.
Public Health England sample testing also failed to pick up any cases in the first seven weeks of the year.
Dr Jenny Harries, of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Restrictions meant we didn’t see much flu circulating last season.
“We avoided the double threat of flu and Covid-19, which could have had disastrous consequences.” But Independent SAGE virologist Prof Deenan Pillay said the upcoming season is likely to be far more severe.
Prof Pillay added: “We expect a rebound because immunity has waned. I fully support a quick extension of diagnostics.”
Tests for flu are normally only carried out in laboratories when patients are hospitalised. A home test would require individuals to swab either their nose or throat, with results provided in 15 minutes.
Health minister Lord Nicholas Bethell said his department was “exploring potential options to expanding winter virus testing via home or community testing”.
And Simon Dukes, boss of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, which represents the nation’s 11,400 community chemists, said: “We’re open to having discussions on how this might work.
“Free Covid tests from pharmacies have been a huge success. We would be happy to distribute flu tests.”
Up to 25,000 people die from flu every year, depending on the severity of strains doing the rounds and the effectiveness of vaccines.
Scientists say it is unlikely people could catch flu and Covid at the same time because chemicals released by the body to fight off one virus would attack any other trying to enter.